Related Experiment Videos
Related TT viruses in chimpanzees.
1Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Virology
|August 31, 2000
Summary
New TT virus (TTV) variants were discovered in chimpanzees, with some circulating exclusively in these animals and not detected in humans. This suggests TTV comprises diverse species, many predominantly infecting chimpanzees.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Primate Health
Background:
- Hepatitis virus infections in chimpanzees provide models for human disease.
- TT virus (TTV) is a widespread human pathogen, but its diversity and host range are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and diversity of TT virus (TTV) in experimentally infected chimpanzees.
- To identify novel TTV variants and determine their prevalence in chimpanzees and humans.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect TTV DNA in serum specimens.
- Direct sequencing of PCR fragments allowed for identification and comparison of TTV variants.
- Phylogenetic analysis was performed on known and newly identified TTV sequences.
Main Results:
- Four new TTV variants (A, M1, M2, M3) were identified in two experimentally infected chimpanzees.
- Two naive chimpanzees were infected with new TTV variants, and one with an additional variant (T).
- None of the new TTV variants were detected in 99 hepatitis patients, who were primarily infected with the prototype TTV variant.
Conclusions:
- TT virus (TTV) represents a diverse group of related species, with some variants predominantly circulating in chimpanzees.
- Novel TTV variants identified in this study expand our understanding of TTV diversity.
- The findings suggest a potential host-specific distribution for certain TTV species.