Infection by an unenveloped DNA virus associated with non‐A to ‐G hepatitis in Japanese blood donors with or without elevated ALT levels

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Abstract
BACKGROUND: An unenveloped, single‐stranded DNA virus named TT virus has been found in association with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in recipients of transfusions and has been detected frequently in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis of non‐A to ‐G etiology in Japan. DNA of the TT virus was searched for in blood donors with or without elevated ALT levels.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 861 blood donors without previous transfusions and who were negative for markers of hepatitis B or C virus infection were tested. DNA of the TT virus was detected by polymerize chain reaction with hemi‐nested primers.RESULTS: TT virus DNA was detected in 62 of 280 (22.1% [95% CI: 18.1‐26.6]) donors with elevated ALT levels (mean ± SD, 89.3 ± 36.4 U/L; range, 61‐301 U/L), which is significantly more frequently (pCONCLUSION: The detection of TT virus DNA, at a frequency higher in donors with elevated ALT than in those without, strengthens the association of TT virus with non‐A to ‐G hepatitis.