Prevalence and route of transmission of infection with a novel DNA virus (TTV), hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis G virus in patients infected with HIV.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence, route of transmission and clinical significance that current co-infection with TT virus (TTV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis G virus (HGV) have in HIV-1-infected patients.


METHODS
Presence of TTV, HCV, and HGV was analyzed in plasma samples from 160 HIV-1-infected patients with parenteral (38 intravenous drug users [IVDUs] and 41 patients with hemophilia) or sexual (39 homosexuals and 42 heterosexuals) risk of exposure, and in 168 volunteer blood donors. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and CD4+ counts were also analyzed.


METHODS
HCV and HGV RNA were detected by specific reverse transcriptase (RT) nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and TTV DNA by specific heminested PCR.


RESULTS
TTV DNA was detected in 39% of the patients and in 14% of the volunteer blood donors. HCV and HGV infections were detected in 42% and in 14% of the patients, and in 0% and 3% of the blood donors, respectively. Prevalences of TTV and HCV infection were higher among patients with parenteral (62% and 68%) than in those with sexual (17% and 16%) risk of exposure. A higher prevalence of TTV infection (but not of HCV or HGV infection) was observed among patients with hemophilia (76%) than IVDUs (47%), and among homosexuals (26%) than among heterosexuals (10%). Abnormal ALT levels were related with the presence of HCV infection, independently of the detection of TTV DNA. TTV infection did not seem to alter the levels of CD4+ T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of current TTV infection is high among HIV-infected patients with parenteral risk of exposure, but TTV is also transmitted through sexual routes; detection of TTV does not seem to influence the clinical or immune status of HIV-infected patients.
Puig-Basagoiti
F
F
Department of Medicine, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pí i Sunyer, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Barcelona, Spain.
Cabana
M
M
Guilera
M
M
Giménez-Barcons
M
M
Sirera
G
G
Tural
C
C
Clotet
B
B
Sánchez-Tapias
J M
JM
Rodés
J
J
Saiz
J C
JC
Martínez
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1; D006467:Hemophilia A; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019529:Sexuality; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
D000410:Alanine Transaminase