Prevalence of SENV-H viraemia among healthy subjects and individuals at risk for parenterally transmitted diseases in Germany.
The prevalence of a newly described DNA virus (SENV-H) was examined in a population of 599 individuals by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All individuals were assigned to a nonrisk or a risk group depending on the presence of historical or serological factors indicating an increased risk for parenterally transmitted diseases. In a group of 226 healthy blood donors, 38 (16.8%) were found to be SENV-H viraemic. The highest prevalence of SENV-H viraemia was observed among patients infected by HIV (28 of 63; 44.4%). Contrarily, of 78 individuals on maintenance haemodialysis, only 10 (12.8%) were found positive in the SENV-H PCR. Our results demonstrate that SENV-H viraemia is widespread in the general population. Therefore, it seems to be questionable if parenteral transmission is the main route for spreading SENV-H. The hepatitis-inducing capacity of SENV-H is unclear. However, taking our clinical and epidemiological data into account it seems unlikely that this virus is responsible for hepatitis.
Schröter
M
M
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Laufs
R
R
Zöllner
B
B
Knödler
B
B
Schäfer
P
P
Sterneck
M
M
Fischer
L
L
Feucht
H-H
HH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000821:virology; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral