Non-A to E hepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
The list of possible hepatotropic viruses continues to grow with the discovery of the GB virus-C, the TT virus and the SEN virus. There is emerging data on the biology of these newly discovered :In spite of continuing research into the pathogenicity of the GB virus-C and the TT virus, definite evidence linking them to acute or chronic liver disease is lacking. The SEN virus was reported in 2000, and although there seems to be an association between virus and transfusion-related hepatitis, more data are awaited before definite conclusions can be drawn. The effect of GB virus-C, the TT virus and the SEN virus co-infection on other viral and non-viral hepatitides has also been studied in some detail. Again, there is no definite evidence so far that these viruses modify other liver diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
At the present time, diagnostic testing for these viruses does not seem to be warranted outside of clinical studies. The discovery of these viruses, however, paves the way for further research into novel viral agents that infect humans, other among hosts.
Narayanan Menon
K V
KV
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. menon.kozhikode@mayo.edu
D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D022783:Torque teno virus / Q000502:physiology