[Detection of TT virus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma using PCR and in situ hybridization].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the TTV infection occurs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with chronic hepatitis B (of medium degree) and in HBsAg positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
TTV DNA in PBMCs was detected by nested-polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH).


RESULTS
7 of 26 cases of chronic hepatitis B were positive for TTV DNA by nested-PCR with a positive rate of 26.9% that was significantly higher than that of normal control(chi 2 = 14.3, P < 0.001); 4 of 21 HBsAg positive cases were positive for TTV DNA by nested-PCR with a positive rate of 19.0%, also significantly higher than that of normal control(chi 2 = 4.86, P < 0.05). 4 of 7 TTV positive patients with chronic hepatitis B tested by nested-PCR were positive for TTV DNA by ISH in PBMC cytoplasm, with a positive rate of 57.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) A higher incidence of TTV DNA in PBMCs of patients with chronic hepatitis B and in HBsAg positive HCC was identified by nested-PCR and ISH; (2) TTV DNA was in the cytoplasm of PBMCs in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Liu
Z
Z
Beijing Post and Telecommunication General Hospital, Beijing 100032.
Zhou
Y
Y
Dong
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology*; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D022783:Torque teno virus / Q000235:genetics*
D004279:DNA, Viral