a study of transfusion-transmitted virus (ttv) in multi-transfused patients with some pediatric malignancy and hematological disorders

GOALS: A novel transfusion-transmissible human DNA virus, TT virus (TTV), has been discovered recently. The prevalence of TTV infection has not been known in patients suffering from pediatric malignancies (Leukemia) and hematological disorders (Thalassemia) who receive blood transfusion during treatment. In this study, we determined the prevalence of TTV DNA positivity, and its relationship with history of transfusion, age and sex in patients with hematological disorders and pediatric malignancies. STUDY: One hundred patients (56 male and 44 female) followed up for some malignancies and hematological disorders and 25 healthy subjects were included in the study. RESULTS: TTV infection was identified when TTV DNA was detected in serum by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA were assayed by ELISA and EIA .