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Published on: December 10, 2013
TT virus loads and lymphocyte subpopulations in children with acute respiratory diseases
Fabrizio Maggi1, Massimo Pifferi, Elena Tempestini
1Virology Section and Retrovirus Center, Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Pisa, Italy.
Insights
High TT virus (TTV) loads in children with respiratory illness correlate with lower T cells and higher B cells. This suggests TTV replication may impact immune function, potentially causing immunosuppression.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- TT virus (TTV) establishes chronic viremia in most healthy individuals, often considered a commensal.
- Previous research linked high TTV loads to severe respiratory disease in hospitalized children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between TTV viral loads and lymphocyte populations in children hospitalized with acute respiratory diseases.
- To explore the potential immunomodulatory effects of TTV replication.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of TTV viral loads in plasma samples.
- Flow cytometry to determine percentages of circulating T cells (total and helper) and B cells.
- Correlation analysis between TTV loads and lymphocyte subsets.
Main Results:
- TTV loads demonstrated an inverse correlation with the percentage of circulating total T and helper T cells.
- A direct correlation was observed between TTV loads and the percentage of circulating B cells.
- These findings suggest TTV replication influences lymphocyte distribution.
Conclusions:
- Florid TTV replication may contribute to lymphocyte imbalances in children with acute respiratory diseases.
- TTV may exert immunosuppressive effects, similar to related animal viruses.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate TTV's role in immune modulation.
Abstract:
TT virus (TTV) produces chronic plasma viremia in around 90% of healthy individuals of all ages and has, therefore, been proposed as a commensal human virus. We recently demonstrated that in children hospitalized for acute respiratory diseases high TTV loads were associated with severe forms of disease. Here, we report that in such children TTV loads showed an inverse correlation with the percentage of circulating total T and helper T cells and a direct correlation with the percentage of B cells. Thus, florid TTV replication might contribute to lymphocyte imbalances and, possibly, immunosuppressive effects, thus resembling related animal viruses.
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