Korean J Blood Transfus.  2006 Dec;17(2):126-134.

Detection of Small Anellovirus DNA from Blood Products

• Han TH
• Chung JY

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The small anellovirus (SAV) is a new member of the genus Anellovirus infecting humans. SAV can be transmissible by transfusion. However there are no reports on SAV infections in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SAV in blood products.
METHODS
A total of 90 plasma samples from blood products (each 30 units of Red blood cell, whole blood, and platelet concentrate) and 30 serum samples from non-A to C hepatitis patients were tested. SAV DNA was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). At the same time, TTV and TTMV DNA were detected using nested PCR.
RESULTS
SAV DNA was detected in 34% (31/90) of blood products. TTV and TTMV DNA were detected in 66% (54/90) and 29% (26/90) of blood products, respectively. One of the three anelloviruses (SAV, TTV, TTMV) was detected in a total of 77 blood products (86%). SAV DNA was detected in 40% (12/30) of hepatitis patients. TTV and TTMV DNA were detected in 73% (22/30) and 33% (10/30) of those patients, respectively. One of the three anelloviruses (SAV, TTV, TTMV) was detected in 97% (29/30) of hepatitis patients.
CONCLUSION
Blood products are frequently infected with SAV and (or) other anelloviruses (TTV/TTMV) in Korea, and can be transmissible with a high probability.

Keyword

Small anellovirus (SAV); Torquetenovirus (TTV); Torquetenominivirus (TTMV; Polymerase chain reaction (PCR); Blood product

MeSH Terms

Anelloviridae*
Blood Platelets
DNA*
Erythrocytes
Hepatitis
Humans
Korea
Plasma
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Prevalence
DNA