Study the prevalence of torque teno (TT) virus infection in patients with hematological malignancies

Abstract

Torque Teno (TT) virus infection may increase the risk of different types of leukemia. In this study the infective markers of TT virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were evaluated in patients with different types of leukemia in comparison with controls. In this cross sectional study Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-treated blood samples were collected from 163 patients with leukemia and 100 control between years: 2007-2011. Molecular prevalence of TT virus infection was evaluated in studied populations using in-house semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol. HBsAg and HCVAb were analyzed in studied groups by third generation ELISA kits according to manufacturer’s instructions. The genomic DNA of TT virus was found in 29 of 163 (17.8%) of leukemia patients and 2 of 100 (2%) of controls. HBsAg was diagnosed in 21 of 147 (14.3%) patients with leukemia and in 2 of 100 (2%) controls. HCVAb was diagnosed in 4 of 147 (2.7%) patients with leukemia and in none of controls. The co-infection of TT virus with HBV and with HCV was found in 4 of 147 (2.7%) and in 1 of 147 (0.7%) of patients with leukemia, respectively. Identification of high prevalence of TT virus infection in patients with leukemia compared with controls emphasize on possible association between TT virus infections with leukemia. Therefore evaluation of the prevalence of TT viral infection in larger groups of patients with long lasting follow up is suggested. Key words: Torque Teno (TT) virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), leukemia, hematological malignancies.