Frequency of Torque Teno Mini Virus in Hepatitis B and C Patients and Healthy Blood Donors in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Recently, some new viruses have been identified for their association with hepatitis which Torque Teno Mini Virus being among them. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Torque Teno Mini Virus in healthy individuals and hepatitis B and C patients in Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: One hundred serum samples of healthy individuals from Isfahan Blood Transfusion Organization were collected. A total of 25 human serum samples from hepatitis B and 25 samples from hepatitis C infected patients were also collected from Mahdieh diagnostic laboratory in Isfahan, Iran. Viral DNA was extracted and Torque Teno Mini Virus DNA was detected using a nested PCR with primer sets designed for a conserved region of the Torque Teno Mini Virus genome. PCR and Reverse transcriptase PCR were used for detection of HBV and HCV respectively. Results: Torque Teno Mini Virus -DNA was detected in 17% of healthy individuals. It also was detected in 20% and 48% of serum samples from hepatitis B and C infected individuals, respectively. The frequency of Torque Teno Mini Virus was significantly higher in hepatitis C patients versus healthy individuals (P < 0.05). Also, the frequency of TTMV in hepatitis C patients was significantly higher than hepatitis B patients (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The difference in Torque Teno Mini Virus frequency between the hepatitis C and healthy group was significant (P< 0.05). The etiology of the higher infection rate in hepatitis C individuals needs to be determined. Keywords: Torque Teno Mini Virus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, PCR.