The prevalence of TT virus infection in renal transplant recipients in Brazil

Background, Recently, rr virus (TTV) was discovered as a potential causativ e agent for non-A-E hepatitis. Little is known about the prevalence of TTV infection in renal transplant recipients. Methods. One hundred and seventeen Brazilian renal transplant recipients an d 100 normal subjects were examined to determine the prevalence of ITV infe ction. The TTV DNA in serum and its genotype were examined using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme length polymorphism, respectively. Results. TTV DNA was detected in 63/117 (53.8%) renal transplant recipients in contrast to its detection in 10/100 (10%) normal subjects (P<0.001). Th ere was no statistical difference in the distribution of TTV genotypes betw een these groups. There was no significant difference in clinical backgroun ds between TTV positive and negative patients. Conclusions. These results indicate a risk for Tm infection in renal transp lant recipients in Brazil. They also indicate that TTV itself might not hav e a strong correlation with the pathogenicity of liver diseases.