The prevalence of TT virus infection in renal transplant recipients in Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Recently, TT virus (TTV) was discovered as a potential causative agent for non-A-E hepatitis. Little is known about the prevalence of TTV infection in renal transplant recipients.


METHODS
One hundred and seventeen Brazilian renal transplant recipients and 100 normal subjects were examined to determine the prevalence of TTV infection. The TTV DNA in serum and its genotype were examined using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme length polymorphism, respectively.


RESULTS
TTV DNA was detected in 63/117 (53.8%) renal transplant recipients in contrast to its detection in 10/100 (10%) normal subjects (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the distribution of TTV genotypes between these groups. There was no significant difference in clinical backgrounds between TTV positive and negative patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate a risk for TTV infection in renal transplant recipients in Brazil. They also indicate that TTV itself might not have a strong correlation with the pathogenicity of liver diseases.
Yokosuka
O
O
First Department of Medicine, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan.
Ikeuchi
T
T
Kanda
T
T
Kawai
S
S
Imazeki
F
F
Saisho
H
H
Mazzalli
M
M
Filho
G A
GA
Nishimura
N F
NF
Soares
E C
EC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D022783:Torque teno virus
D004279:DNA, Viral