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

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