Detection of TTV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of intravenous drugusers

In order to further elucidate the tropism of the novel hepatitis TT virus ( TTV) we investigated 22 intravenous drug users (IVDU) for the presence of v iral DNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by means of sem inested polymerase chain reaction using a set of primers specific for the c onserved region of its genome. We detected TTV DNA in 63% of those individu als who had previously been found positive for the agent in their serum, wh ereas the three remaining ones not displaying TTV DNA in their serum and he nce, serving as controls also proved negative in their PBMC. The results pr esented here further support earlier findings by other authors and their co nclusion as to the virus employing a parenteral route of transmission. Furt her investigation will be required in order to clarify the mechanism of vir al infection. (C) 1999 Tohoku University Medical Press.