Presence of Torque teno virus (TTV) in tap water in public schools from Southern Brazil

Anellovirus species in the serum of acute febrile patients from Mato Grosso, central Western Brazil, 2019

The Anelloviridae family is one of the most diverse group of viruses within human virome, comprising 155 species distributed across 30 genera, four of which infect humans. Using a metagenomic approach to examine the frequency and diversity of viruses in the serum of patients with acute febrile illness in Mato Grosso during 2019, we identified and characterized two complete, three nearly complete and nine partial anellovirus genomes, including eleven putatively new species. Alphatorquevirus was the most prevalent genus (50%; n = 7), followed by Gammatorquevirus (35.7%; n = 5) and Betatorquevirus (14.3%; n = 2), consistent with global reports showing its dominance within Anelloviridae. Additionally, 65% of genomes were recovered from children, supporting higher anellovirus diversity and load in younger individuals.

DNA porcine viruses detected on fresh liver samples destined for human consumption

Pork meat and pork-derived products are major sources of protein, but they might be important vehicles for transmitting viruses to humans. Here we aimed to evaluate whether pig enzootic viruses could be found in liver samples destined for foodstuff manufacture. We collected 140 liver samples in a slaughterhouse for DNA extraction and viral detection by real-time or conventional PCR. The samples were from 14 swine herds (n = 10/herd) located in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. We found 93 (66.4%) samples positive for swine torque teno virus (TTSuV); out of these, 29 samples (31.2%) were positive for TTSuV1, 39 (41.9%) for TTSuV2 and 25 (26.9%) for both TTSuV genotypes. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) DNA was found on 24 (17.1%) samples, out of which 23 were PCV2d and only one was PCV2b. Half of the samples from each farm were tested for adenoviruses (AdV) and 44 (62.8%) were positive: by analyzing the melting curve, the samples were classified as adenoviruses of human (HAdV), canine (CAdV), and bird (AVAdV) origin in 39 (55.7%), 11 (15.7%) and 3 (4.2%) of the samples. Porcine parvovirus (PPV) DNA was detected in 5 (7.1%) of the 70 samples analyzed. Pork liver is commonly used for making pate, sausages, and mortadella which, in this situation, could harbor these viruses. Further processing of foodstuff is likely to inactive viral agents; however, our data indicates that pork-derived meat might contain viruses that eventually could reach the food chain and be harmful to immunocompromised individuals.

Detection and Genomic Characterization of Torque Teno Virus in Pneumoconiosis Patients in China

Pneumoconiosis is a common occupational disease that can worsen with accompanying infection. Torque teno virus (TTV) is a prevalent human virus with multiple genotypes that can chronically and persistently infect individuals. However, the prevalence of TTV in pneumoconiosis patients is still unclear. This research aims to detect the presence and prevalence of TTV in the alveolar lavage fluid of pneumoconiosis patients in the Hunan Province of China using PCR. As a result, a 65.5% positive rate (19 out of 29) of TTV was detected. The TTV detection rate varies among different stages of silicosis and different pneumoconiosis patient ages. Nine novel TTV genomes ranging in size from 3719 to 3908 nt, named TTV HNPP1, HNPP2, HNPP3, HNPP4, HNPP5, HNPP6-1, HNPP6-2, HNPP7-1 and HNPP7-2, were identified. A genomic comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicated that these nine TTVs represent five different species with high genetic diversity which belong to the genus Alphatorquevirus. HNPP6-1 and HNPP6-2 belong to TTV3, HNPP5 belongs to TTV13, HNPP1 belongs to TTV24, HNPP4 belongs to TTV20, and the others belong to TTV19. The genomes of TTV HNPP1, HNPP6-1, and HNPP6-2 contain three putative open reading frames (ORFs) coding for proteins, ORF1, ORF2, and ORF3, while the other six TTV genomes contain two ORFs coding for proteins, ORF1 and ORF2. These results provide the first description of TTV epidemiology in pneumoconiosis patients in China. The newly identified TTV genome sequences reveal the high genetic diversity of TTV in pneumoconiosis patients and could contribute to a deeper understanding of TTV retention and infection in humans.

Occurrence of human pathogenic viruses in drinking water and in its sources: A review

Since many waterborne diseases are caused by human pathogenic viruses, virus monitoring of drinking water (DW) and DW sources is crucial for public health. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the occurrence of human pathogenic viruses in DW and DW sources; the occurrence of two viruses proposed as novel indicators of human faecal contamination (Pepper mild mottle virus and Tobacco mosaic virus) was also reported. This research was focused on articles that assessed viral occurrence using molecular methods in the surface water used for DW production (SW-D), groundwater used for DW production (GW-D), DW and bottled-DW (BW). A total of 1544 studies published in the last 10 years were analysed, and 79 were ultimately included. In considering the detection methods, filtration is the most common concentration technique, while quantitative polymerase chain reaction is the most common quantification technique. Regarding virus occurrence in SW-D, GW-D, and DW, high percentages of positive samples were reported for adenovirus, polyomavirus and Pepper mild mottle virus. Viral genomes were frequently detected in SW-D and rarely in GW-D, suggesting that GW-D may be a safe DW source. Viral genomes were also detected in DW, posing a possible threat to human health. The lowest percentages of positive samples were found in Europe, while the highest were found in Asia and South America. Only three articles assessed viral occurrence in BW. This review highlights the lack of method standardization and the need for legislation updates.

Regional mutations in CHIKV-ECSA genomes and detection of other viruses in the serum of acute febrile patients by a metagenomic approach in Mato Grosso, Central-Western Brazil, 2018

Mato Grosso (MT) State is part of central western Brazil and has a tropical permissive environment that favors arbovirus outbreaks. A metagenomic approach was used to identify viral genomes in seven pools of serum from patients (n=65) with acute febrile disease. Seven chikungunya virus (CHIKV) genomes were determined, showing four amino acid changes found only in CHIKV genomes obtained in MT since 2018: nsP2:T31I, nsP3: A388V, E3:T201I and E3:H57R, in addition to other mutations in E1, nsP2 and nsP4. Six parvovirus B19 (B19V) genotype I genomes (4771-5131 nt) showed four aa alterations (NS1:N473D, R579Q; VP1:I716T; and 11 kDa:V44A) compared to most similar B19V from the USA. Coinfection between CHIKV and B19V was evidenced in 22/65 (33.8%) patients by RT‒PCR and PCR, respectively. Other viruses found in these pools include human pegivirus C, torque teno virus 3, an unclassified TTV and torque teno mini virus. Metagenomics represents a useful approach to detect viruses in the serum of acute febrile patients suspected of arbovirus disease.

Prevalence of emerging torque teno virus (TTV) in drinking water, natural waters and wastewater networks (DWNWWS): A systematic review and meta-analysis of the viral pollution marker of faecal and anthropocentric contaminations

The emerging torque teno virus (TTV) has been identified as a biohazard marker of anthropocentric pollution and contamination in drinking water, natural water and wastewater systems (DWNWWS). Therefore, this study aimed at assessing prevalence of TTV in DWNWWS. The study systematically identified and meta-analyzed published studies on TTV prevalence in DWNWWS hosted in Dimensions, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using a random-effects model and mixed-effects meta-regression model for sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, the meta-analysis was stratified to estimate water type-specific TTV prevalence. The study found a total of 58 articles, of which 13 articles subdivided into 31 studies with 374 TTV positive cases and 862 total sample sizes were systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed. The pooled prevalence of TTV in DWNWWS was 37.18% (95%CI: 23.76-55.55%). Prevalence of TTV was significantly different across water types and it was 56.67% (95%CI: 36.94-75.46%) in wastewater, 26.72% (95%CI: 6.87-52.56%) in river water, and 17.17% (95%CI: 0.54-45.39%) in drinking water. TTV incidence in seawater and groundwater was 0% and 25.0% respectively. Funnel plots constructed and associated statistics of rank correlation test and Egger's regression test in this study, show lack of publication bias in the pooled prevalence of TTV in DWNWWS. Although, sample type (QM(df = 1) = 6.9656, p = 0.0083) and concentration methods (QM(df = 1) = 3.8055, p = 0.0511) significantly moderated and accounted for 15.39% and 6.00% of heterogeneity in the prevalence of TTV in DWNWWS respectively. In conclusion, research focus/monitoring activities on TTV is generally inadequate and potential risk of TTV in DWNWWS is underappreciated in most nations; the analyzed studies were from 7 countries (USA, Japan, Italy, Iran, Germany, Egypt, and Brazil). Finally, inefficient concentration method severely influences the prevalence of TTV in DWNWWS and could give rise to underestimation of TTV and mar TTV-based source-tracking of anthropogenic pollutions.

Torque teno virus in liver diseases: On the way towards unity of view

The review presents the data accumulated for more than 20 years of research of torque teno virus (TTV). Its molecular genetic structure, immunobiology, epidemiology, diagnostic methods, possible replication sites, and pathogenicity factors are described. TTV is a virus that is frequently detectable in patients with different viral hepatitides, in cases of hepatitis without an obvious viral agent, as well as in a healthy population. There is evidence suggesting that biochemical and histological changes occur in liver tissue and bile duct epithelium in TTV monoinfection. There are sufficient histological signs of liver damage, which confirm that the virus can undergo a replicative cycle in hepatocytes. Along with this, cytological hybridization in TTV-infected cells has shown no substantial cytopathic (cell-damaging) effects that are characteristic of pathogenic hepatotropic viruses. Studying TTV has led to the evolution of views on its role in the development of human pathology. The first ideas about the hepatotropism of the virus were gradually reformed as new data became available on the prevalence of the virus and its co-infection with other viruses, including the viruses of the known types of hepatitides. The high prevalence of TTV in the human population indicates its persistence in the body as a virome and a non-pathogenic virus. It has recently been proposed that the level of TTV DNA in the blood of patients undergoing organ transplantation should be used as an endogenous marker of the body's immune status. The available data show the polytropism of the virus and deny the fact that TTV can be assigned exclusively to hepatitis viruses. Fortunately, the rare detection of the damaging effect of TTV on hepatic and bile duct epithelial cells may be indirect evidence of its conditionally pathogenic properties. The ubiquity of the virus and the variability of its existence in humans cannot put an end to its study.

Prevalence of torque viruses in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected Nigerian subjects: analysis of near-full-length genome sequences

Torque teno virus (TTV), torque teno mini virus (TTMV) and torque teno midi virus (TTMDV) are members of the family Anelloviridae that are known to infect humans. Although no pathogenic roles have been associated with anelloviruses, their high prevalence and perceived ubiquitousness have provoked scientific interest in understanding their molecular and biological characteristics. We used nested PCR to determine the prevalence of anelloviruses among 130 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and 130 healthy blood donors, and analyzed three near-full-length genome sequences of TTV isolates from HIV-infected and non-HIV infected Nigerians. Statistical analysis showed that the rate of TTV infection was significantly higher in the HIV-infected group (65%) than in the blood donor group (26%) (p < 0.05, χ² = 40.3). TTMV and TTMDV infections were very high in both groups, ranging between 88 and 95%. No significant association was found between TTV infection and age, sex, CD4⁺ cell count, HIV viral load or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Near-full-length genome sequences of TTV isolates FL100, FL08 and BD67 determined by next-generation sequencing were 3.6 kb, 3.2 kb and 2.9 kb, respectively, in size. Their GenBank accession numbers are MK820644, MK820645, MK820646, respectively. These isolates shared 59% sequence identity across the whole genome and clustered in two different phylogenetic groups. Our study established for the first time the circulation of TTV, TTMV and TTMDV in the Nigerian population, with a disproportionately higher prevalence of TTV in HIV-infected patients. The near-complete TTV genome sequences from Nigeria are similar to the sequences KT163879 and KT163916 (3748 and 3190 respectively), obtained from the plasma of HIV-infected subjects from the United States, and EU305675 (2919), identified in human plasma samples from France.

Occurrence and molecular characterization of Torque teno virus (TTV) in a wastewater treatment plant in Tehran

Torque teno virus (TTV) is a single-stranded DNA virus which is predominantly transmitted by the fecal-oral route and may be excreted in the absence of the clinical symptoms. TTV was previously considered a probable cause of hepatitis, but further studies could not strongly connect TTV to any serious health problem. TTV is highly resistant to water and wastewater treatment processes and can be a useful indicator for determining the fecal contamination of water. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence and molecular characterization of TTV in treated wastewater in Tehran. Thirteen effluent samples were collected monthly from the biggest wastewater treatment plant in Tehran, Iran (from September 2017 to August 2018). The presence of the TTV was monitored in the samples by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The TTV genome was found in 76.9% of the samples, and TTV of groups 1 and 3 were determined using phylogenetic analysis. Therefore, treated wastewater can play a key role in the transmission of TTV and the usage of treated wastewater as a source of potable water needs to be carefully controlled.

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.

Identification of heterologous Torque Teno Viruses in humans and swine

Torque Teno Viruses (TTVs) are ubiquitous viruses which are highly prevalent in several mammalian species. Human TTV’s are epidemiologically associated with several human disease conditions such as respiratory illnesses, auto-immune disorders and hepatitis. Recently it was found that swine TTV’s (TTSuVs) can act as primary pathogens. The common occurrence of TTVs as environmental contaminants and the increasing interest in the use of swine organs for xenotransplantation lend importance to the question of whether TTV’s can cross-infect across species. In this study, we examined human and swine sera by swine or human TTV-specific PCRs, to determine whether swine TTVs (TTSuV) DNA can be detected in humans and vice versa. Surprisingly, both human and TTSuV DNA were present in a majority of the samples tested. Transfection of human PBMC’s with TTSuV1 genomic DNA resulted in productive viral infection which was sustained for the three serial passages tested. Lymphoproliferative responses in infected human PBMCs were diminished when compared to the controls. Furthermore, mild to moderate antibody responses against the TTSuV1 ORF2 protein was detected in 16 of the 40 human sera by ELISA. Therefore, these study findings provide initial and fundamental evidence for possible cross-species transmission of TTVs.

Prevalence of Torque teno virus in healthy donors of Paraná State, southern Brazil

Objective

To determine the prevalence of the Torque teno virus in healthy donors in the northern and northwestern regions of the state of Paraná, southern Brazil.

Methods

The Torque teno virus was detected by a nested polymerase chain reaction using a set of oligoprimers for the N22 region.

Results

The prevalence of the virus was 69% in 551 healthy blood donors in southern Brazil. There was no statistically significant difference between the presence of the virus and the variables gender, ethnicity and marital status. There was significant difference in the prevalence of the virus regarding the age of the donors (p-value = 0.024) with a higher incidence (74.7%) in 18- to 24-year-old donors.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of Torque teno virus was observed in the population studied. Further studies are needed to elucidate the routes of contamination and the clinical implications of the virus in the healthy population.

A Novel Subgenotype of Torque teno Virus 1 (TTSuV1) in Slaughter Pigs in China

TTsuV1 can cause persistent infection and unidentified clinical signs in pigs. In this study, a survey of TTsuV1 prevalence was conducted in slaughter pigs from Henan, Liaoning, and Shandong provinces in China. A total of 180 swine lymphoid tissues were assayed by PCR with primers targeting the conserved 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). The results showed that a 17.8 % positive rate, and different genotypes were detected. TTSuV1 presented higher viral load and prevalence in inguinal lymph node than in submandibular lymph node samples. All TTsuV1 isolates have 84-100 % nucleotide sequence homology in the 5'-UTR region and can be grouped into three subgenotypes (TTsuV1a-1, TTsuV1a-2, and TTsuV1b). Notably, the novel genetic subtype TTsuV1b was first reported in slaughter pigs.