Torquetenovirus: the human virome from bench to bedside.
Torquetenovirus (TTV) is the most abundant component of human virome. Virologists have long ignored this orphan and highly divergent virus, in part because TTV cannot be cultured and because it lacks serology reagents and animal models. Nevertheless, it is almost endemic worldwide and is insensitive to current antiviral drugs, so its monitoring is useful in various conditions. To date, TTV as a marker has proved useful in at least two circumstances: to identify anthropogenic pollution and to assess functional immune competence in immunosuppressed individuals. This review summarizes recent findings about TTV and discusses the main hurdles in translating them into clinical diagnostics.
North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Italy.
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Focosi
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, and Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Antonelli
Virology Unit and Retrovirus Centre, Pisa University Hospital, Italy; Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Pistello
Virology Unit and Retrovirus Centre, Pisa University Hospital, Italy. Electronic address: fabrizio.maggi63@gmail.com.
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Maggi
D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D064307:Microbiota; D022783:Torque teno virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
Maintenance immunosuppression; Opportunistic infections; Solid organ transplantation; TTV; Virome