Response of TT virus to IFN plus ribavirin treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
TT virus (TTV) is a newly described DNA virus related to postransfusion hepatitis that produces persistent viremia in the absence of clinical manifestations. PEG-IFN plus ribavirin have been useful in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. This study investigated the responses of TT virus (TTV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) to PEG-IFN plus ribavirin therapy.


METHODS
Fifteen patients infected with HCV were treated with PEG-IFN(0.5 microg/body weight/week) and ribavirin (1 000 mg-1 200 mg/daily) for 48 weeks. Blood samples were drawn at the beginning and the end of the therapy. Serum TTV DNA and HCV RNA were quantified by real time PCR.


RESULTS
At the beginning of treatment, TTV infection was detected in 10/15 (66.6%) of HCV-infected patients. Loss of serum TTV DNA at the end of therapy occurred in 6/10 (60%) patients. Out of these 6 patients, 4 (67%) became positive for TTV DNA after 6 months of therapy. Regarding HCV viremia, 11/15 (73%) patients were negative for serum HCV RNA after 48 weeks of therapy, 7/11 (64%) of these cases also became negative for TTV DNA following the combined treatment. In the 3/4 (75%) patients who were positive for HCV RNA at the end of therapy, TTV DNA was detected as well. Sustained HCV response at 6 months after treatment was 53% (8/15).


CONCLUSIONS
No TTV sustained response can be achieved in any patient after PEG-IFN plus ribavirin administration.
Moreno
Javier
J
Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Ramony Cajal, Ctra. Colmenar, Km 9.1, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
Moraleda
Gloria
G
Barcena
Rafael
R
Mateos
Mluisa
M
del Campo
Santos
S
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D022783:Torque teno virus; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons