Novel DNA sequence isolated from blood donors with high transaminase levels.

Aim:   In Japan, the etiology of 10-20% of cases of acute hepatitis remains unclarified. This study was conducted to verify the agent causing non-A-E hepatitis.

Methods:   Serum samples from 500 blood donors with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were screened by polymerase chain reaction using primers constructed from conserved areas of RNA virus helicase.