Transfusion transmitted virus in screened United Arab Emirates blood donors

Authors

• Mubarak S. Alfaresi, Clinical Microbiologist, Department of Microbiology, Zayed Military Hospital, PO Box 3740, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Tel. +9712 4055863. Fax. +9712 4492075. E-mail: uaenow{at}emirates.net.ae
• Ayat M. Elnazer, Department of Hematology and Blood Bank, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
• Azza S. Alzaabi, Department of Microbiology
• Abida A. Elkoush, Department of Microbiology, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
• Adeel A. Islam, Department of Microbiology, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rate of infection caused by Torque teno virus (TTV) in United Arab Emirates (UAEs) healthy population as a pilot study in detecting TTV DNA in 100 healthy blood donors. METHODS: We randomly choose a total of 100 healthy blood donors who attended Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE from January 20 to May 30, 2005. We carried out a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect TTV DNA. RESULTS: Real-time for TTV was positive in 75 (75%) donors. Eight (73%) non-UAE donors were TTV positive while 67 (75%) were UAEs. Among these donors, 72 (77%) were males and 3 (50%) were females. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a high prevalence of TTV in UAE.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

58

Last Page

62

Recommended Citation

Alfaresi, Mubarak S.; Elnazer, Ayat M.; Alzaabi, Azza S.; Elkoush, Abida A.; and Islam, Adeel A. (2006) "Transfusion transmitted virus in screened United Arab Emirates blood donors," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 27: Iss. 1, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.3274