The Frequency of Sen Virus and Torque Teno Virus (TTV) among Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: The use of hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease has increased patient life span significantly. Infectious diseases caused  by viruses that are commonly found in the liver include hepatitis C virus (HCV), SEN virus (SENV), and the Teno virus (TTV). This  work aimed to find out the frequency of SENV & TTV infections and to correlate their viral load with their clinical condition among  hemodialysis patients in Zagazig University Hospitals.

Methods: In a case-control study we included 44 patients divided into 2 groups; 22 hemodialysis patients attending to hemodialysis unit  and 22 apparently healthy individuals served as control group. Detection of anti HCV antibodies & anti HBsAg was done by ELISA.  Detection of SENV DNA and TTV as done by nested PCR analysis.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the  studied groups regarding prevalence of SEN D, SEN H, coinfection SEN D and H, TTV and combined SEN/TTV genotypes (p=0.048, 0.021,  0.048, 0.026, and 0.021 respectively). SEN D, SEN H, TTV prevailed in 22.7%, 45.5% and 50% of patients on HD. Combined SEN V D and H  prevailed in 22.7% while 45.5% of HD patients had coinfection with SENV and TTV. Also, statistically significant differences were revealed  between the studied groups regarding prevalence of combined SEN H/D and TTV genotypes among hemodialysis patients and comorbid  hypertension, diabetes ALT, AST, and hemodialysis duration (p=0.004, <0.001, 0.002,0.002 and 0.008 respectively).

Conclusions: We found  a significantly higher prevalence of SEN virus D, SEN virus H, TTV, and concurrent infections involving combinations of these viruses  among hemodialysis patients compared to healthy controls. The viral infections associated strongly with comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and liver enzyme abnormalities as well as longer duration on hemodialysis.