Detection of TTV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of intravenous drug users.
In order to further elucidate the tropism of the novel hepatitis TT virus (TTV) we investigated 22 intravenous drug users (IVDU) for the presence of viral DNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by means of seminested polymerase chain reaction using a set of primers specific for the conserved region of its genome. We detected TTV DNA in 63% of those individuals who had previously been found positive for the agent in their serum, whereas the three remaining ones not displaying TTV DNA in their serum and hence, serving as controls also proved negative in their PBMC. The results presented here further support earlier findings by other authors and their conclusion as to the virus employing a parenteral route of transmission. Further investigation will be required in order to clarify the mechanism of viral infection.
Poovorawan
Y
Y
Department of Paediatrics, Chulalongkorn Hospital and University, Bangkok, Thailand. Yong.P@chula.ac.th
Theamboonlers
A
A
Vimolket
T
T
Jantaradsamee
P
P
Kaew-in
N
N
Hirsch
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral