Transmitted Transfusion Virus (TTV): a new hepatotropic virus ... looking for a disease

An ubiquitous virus: The family of hepatitis viruses now has a new member d iscovered in 1997 by a Japanese team. The TTV (transmitted transfusion viru s) is a small ubiquitous DNA virus probably largely distributed throughout the world. Prevalence in blood donors is about 2 to 10%. Transmission and persistence: TN is generally transmitted via the parentera l route but can probably be transmitted via orofecal and materno-fetal rout es. The natural history of TN has been studied in retrospective studies, pa rticularly in hemophiliacs After a post-transfusional peak, the virus appea rs to persist for long periods in the organism without causing liver damage nor any change in transaminase levels. Pathogenicity: Although no proof is yet available, the TN does probably not have any intrinsic pathogenic power. It would rather be a isurrogate virus i transmitted at the same time as another virus yet to be discovered and wh ich causes the rare cases of non A-non-G post-transfusional hepatitis.