TT Virus infection in the elderly

An epidemiological survey was carried out in an old people’s nursing home. The aims of the present study were therefore: i) to evaluate the prevalence of TTV infection in a sample of institutionalized elderly subjects; ii) to correlate TTV prevalence with HBV and HCV seroprevalence; iii) to correlate TTV prevalence with any underlying diseases and conditions. The overall sample included 285 subjects with a mean age of 83.4 ± 9.1 years (range 65-100 years). Twenty-six subjects (9.5%) were found TTV-DNA positive. The highest rate of TTV positivity was found in the 85-89 year-old age bracket (10.9%), though no correlation was found with advancing age (p = 0.764) or with the length of institutionalization (p = 0.217). Coinfection was found with HBsAg in one subject and with HCV in two. The rate of HCV infection was 11.6%. Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes (p = 0.03) and self-sufficiency (p < 0.001) were independent factors associated with TTV. None of the subjects had altered liver function tests or evidence of liver disease. TTV infection is unassociated with any evidence of liver damage, and its pathogenic role is questionable.