[Transmitted transfusion virus: a new hepatotropic virus...in search for a disease]

AN UBIQUITOUS VIRUS: The family of hepatitis viruses now has a new member discovered in 1997 by a Japanese team. The TTV (transmitted transfusion virus) is a small ubiquitous DNA virus probably largely distributed throughout the world. Prevalence in blood donors is about 2 to 10%. TRANSMISSION AND PERSISTENCE: TTV is generally transmitted via the parenteral route but can probably be transmitted via orofecal and matemo-fetal routes. The natural history of TTV has been studied in retrospective studies, particularly in hemophiliacs. After a post-transfusional peak, the virus appears to persist for long periods in the organism without causing liver damage nor any change in transaminase levels.

Although no proof is yet available, the TTV does probably not have any intrinsic pathogenic power. It would rather be a ìsurrogate virusî transmitted at the same time as another virus yet to be discovered and which causes the rare cases of non A-non-G post-transfusional hepatitis.