SEN virus infection--a new hepatitis virus: a review

Approximately 10% of transfusion associated hepatitis and 20% of community acquired hepatitis cases do not have a defined etiology, suggesting the existence of an additional causative agent. The recent agents which have been detected in blood were Hepatitis G virus (HGV) and TT virus (TTV), members of the family Circoviridae. These viruses were initially thought to be associated with post-transfusion hepatitis but later studies negated this causal effect. Recently, a novel DNA virus at the moment designated as SEN virus (SEN-V) was discovered and is thought to be associated with post-transfusion hepatitis. This virus is related to the above two agents and belongs to the same family. Whether, like HGV and TTV causal relationship with hepatitis is finally confirmed only time will tell, but, at the moment the association appears to present. The present review summarizes the present available data on this new agent of hepatitis.