Korean J Blood Transfus.  2007 Apr;18(1):23-31.

Detection Rate and Genetic Variability of Small Anellovirus DNA from Blood Donors at a Tertiary Hospital

• Chung JY
• Han TH
• Hwang ES
• Han KS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Small anellovirus (SAV) is a new member of the genus Anellovirus and this virus can infect humans. SAV could be transmissible by transfusion. However, there have been no studies about the genotypes of SAV among the blood donors in Korea. In this paper, the detection rate and genotypes of SAV were investigated among the blood donors at a tertiary hospital.
METHODS
A total of 286 plasma samples from blood donors were tested. SAV DNA was amplified using primers derived from the open reading frame 1 (ORF1) region. Simultaneously, Torquetenovirus (TTV) and torquetenominivirus (TTMV) DNA were detected from the SAV DNA positive plasma samples by using nested PCR. Sequencing of amplicons (n=41) was carried out to investigate the SAV genotypes.
RESULTS
SAV DNA was detected in 28.7% (82/286) of the blood donors. TTV or TTMV DNA was detected in 37.8% (31/82) of the SAV DNA positive blood donors. Twenty-four sequences were determined and compared with those deposited in the databases (GenBanK) and they revealed a high degree of genetic variability among the SAV DNA (nucleotide similarity: mean 69.3, range 61.2~99.3%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the existence of three main clusters, which were tentatively assigned to genotype 1 (G1), genotype 2 (G2), and genotype 3 (G3), respectively. Genotype G1 was most prevalent and this was followed by G2 and G3.
CONCLUSION
The detection rate of SAV DNA among Koreans seems to be higher than that stated in the previous reports from some other countries. Moreover, we determined the genotype distribution of SAV among Korean blood donors.

Keyword

Small anellovirus (SAV); Genotype; Polymerase chain reaction (PCR); Blood donor

MeSH Terms

Anelloviridae*
Blood Donors*
DNA*
Genotype
Humans
Korea
Open Reading Frames
Plasma
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Tertiary Care Centers*
DNA