TT virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C: Influence onclinical, histological and virological features

Concomitant infection with TT virus and hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatiti s C virus (HCV) is common. However, the effect of TTV infection on chronic hepatitis B or C is unknown. The prevalence of TTV infection, the effect of TTV infection on the clinical, histological and virological features of pa tients with ch ro nic hepatitis B or C, and the influence of TTV infection on the HCV response to interferon alfa therapy were studied. A total of 100 asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers, 220 patients with HBV-r elated chronic liver diseases, and 110 patients with chronic hepatitis C tr eated with interferon alfa (3 million units subcutaneously three times a we ek for 24 weeks) were enrolled. Serum HCV RNA and serum TTV DNA were detect ed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum HBV DNA and serum HCV RNA level were quantified by branched DNA assays. Infection with TTV was detect ed in 21.5% of HBV carriers and 37% of HCV carriers. TTV infection had litt le effect on the clinicopathological course of chronic HBV infection. In ch ronic hepatitis C, clinical features, histological severity, serum HCV RNA levels, and the response to interferon alfa therapy did not differ between those with and without TTV infection. The loss of serum TTV DNA did not cor relate with the biochemical response as did in the loss of serum HCV RNA. I n conclusion, TTV infection is found frequently in patients with chronic he patitis B or C in Taiwan; however, coinfection with TTV does not affect the clinicopathological course of chronic hepatitis B or C and the response to interferon alfa therapy. J. Med. Virol. 60:387-392, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-L iss, Inc.