Transmission of human TT virus of genotype 1a to chimpanzees with fecal supernatant or serum from patients with acute TTV infection

Fecal supernatant or serum containing TT virus (TTV) of genotype la (10(5) copies/ml) from patients with acute TTV infection was inoculated intravenou sly into two naive chimpanzees. Serum samples were obtained weekly and test ed for TTV DNA by genotype 1-specific polymerase chain reaction. TTV DNA wa s detected in chimpanzee 228 at weeks 5-15 after inoculation with 0.5 mi of serum, and in chimpanzee 234 at weeks 7-19 after inoculation with 1 mi of fecal supernatant. The TTV DNA titer peaked at weeks 12 and 13 in chimpanze e 228 and at weeks 14-16 in chimpanzee 234. Mild biochemical and histologic al changes in biopsied liver samples were observed in both chimpanzees in a ssociation with the reduction in TTV titer. TTV DNA was transient in chimpa nzee 228, but in chimpanzee 234 it reappeared at week 21 and persisted thro ugh week 30. These results indicate that TTV in feces is infectious and sug gest that ITV has hepatitis-inducing capacity. (C) 2000 Academic Press.