[TT virus (TTV) in Japanese haemophiliacs]

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of infection with a novel virus designated TT virus (TTV) in Japanese haemophiliacs. TTV DNA was measured in 60 haemophiliacs by semi-nested PCR. HCV RNA, HGV RNA and HIV antibody were also tested. TTV DNA was detected in 35 haemophiliacs (58.3%). There were no differences in the backgrounds or characteristics between TTV DNA-positive and-negative haemophiliacs, except that levels of IgG and IgM in TTV DNA-positive patients were higher than those in TTV DNA-negative patients. In patients infected with TTV type 2, which is rare in Japan, the rate of coinfection with HCV of imported types was high. These indicate that TTV type 2 in Japanese haemophiliacs might have a foreign origin.