Prevalence and risk factor analysis of TTV infection in prostitutes

TTV, a DNA virus, has been isolated from patients with non-A to non-E post- transfusion hepatitis. In the past it was assumed that TTV was transmitted parenterally. It is unclear whether sexual contact leads to transmission of this virus. in this study, two sets of TTV-specific polymerase chain react ion primers were used to detect serum TTV DNA in 140 prostitutes and 136 co ntrols. The prevalence of TTV DNA in prostitutes was significantly higher t han in the control group (46/140 [32.9%] vs. 29/136 [21.3%]; P = 0.043). Th ere was no significant difference in the prevalence of positive antibody t o hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) in either group (87.8% for prostitutes, 85.3 % for controls). No particular risk factor was significantly associated wit h positive TTV DNA in prostitutes. In summary, TTV is highly prevalent in p rostitutes. Transmission of TTV via sexual contact is not as efficient as t ransmission of hepatits C and D viruses and GB virus-C hepatitis G virus. T he high prevalence of TTV in controls indicates that there are diverse rout es of transmission of this virus. J. Med. Virol. 60:393-395, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.