Existence of TT virus DNA and TTV-like mini virus DNA in infant cord blood: mother-to-neonatal transmission.

The route of transmission of TT virus (TTV) was studied by examining the existence of TTV DNA in different body fluids from the new born infants and their mothers. A total of 52 pregnant women with normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels were enrolled in this study. TTV DNA was examined using a polymerase chain reaction method using Takahashi's primers which can detect all genotypes of TTV and Okamoto's primers which detect only some of the genotypes of TTV. TTV DNA was detected in the sera from 40/52 (77%), in the breast milk from 35/52 (67%), and in the amniotic fluid from 6/6 (100%) pregnant mothers using Takahashi's primers TTV DNA was also detected in the sera from 8 of 11 (73%) and in the cord blood from 25/52 (48%) new born infants using Takahashi's primers. However, TTV DNA was detected in only 5/52 maternal blood (10%) and 4/52 breast milk (8%) using Okamoto's primers. All samples positive for TTV DNA by Takahashi's primers, were also positive for TTV-like mini virus (TLMV) DNA. Our data suggest that intrauterine transmission or transmission via breast milk may contribute to maintaining the global TTV and TLMV reservoir.