title: Detection of transfusion transmitted virus DNA by real-time PCR.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the pathogenic role and the endemic situation of transfusion transmitted virus (TTV).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, a molecular assay for detection of TTV based on automated nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR was developed and evaluated. The new assay includes an internal control.
  
  
  METHODS
  After optimization of the molecular assay, 103 clinical samples were studied retrospectively. All sera had been tested for anti-HCV and anti-HIV-1 antibodies earlier.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The amplification efficiency was found to be 102%. When clinical specimens were tested, 79 of 103 serum samples were found to be positive for TTV. There was no significant difference between various groups of patients. The internal control was detected in all negative and weak positive samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This molecular assay proved to be suitable for routine detection of TTV in clinical samples. Moreover, a relative statement on the TTV serum load can be done.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Karl-Franzens-University, Universitaetsplatz 4, A-8010 Graz, Austria. christoph.koidl@uni-graz.at
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koidl
authors.forename: Bozic
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stöcher
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mühlbauer
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Grisold
authors.forename: Egon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marth
authors.forename: Harald H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012015:Reference Standards; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D022783:Torque teno virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral