Plasma Torquetenovirus (TTV) microRNAs and severity of COVID-19

Torquetenovirus (TTV), a widespread anellovirus recognized as the main component of the healthy human virome, displays viremia that is highly susceptible to variations in immune competence. TTV possesses microRNA (miRNA)-coding sequences that might be involved in viral immune evasion. Among TTV-encoded miRNAs, miRNA t1a, t3b, and tth8 have been found in biological fluids. Here, the presence of TTV DNA and TTV miRNAs in the plasma of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected subjects was investigated to monitor the possible association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity.

Detection of TTV DNA and miRNA t1a, t3b, and tth8 was investigated in plasma samples of 56 SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects with a spectrum of different COVID-19 outcomes. TTV DNA and TTV miRNAs were assessed with a universal single step real-time TaqMan PCR assay and miRNA quantitative RT-PCR miRNA assay, respectively.

The TTV DNA prevalence was 59%, whereas at least one TTV miRNA was found in 94% of the patients tested. miRNA tth8 was detected in 91% of subjects, followed by miRNAs t3b (64%) and miRNAt1a (30%). Remarkably, although TTV DNA was unrelated to COVID-19 severity, miRNA tth8 was significantly associated with the degree of disease (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.04, 95% CI 1.14-3.63, for the subjects in the high severity group compared to those in the low severity group).

Our findings encourage further investigation to understand the potential role of TTV miRNAs in the different outcomes of COVID-19 at early and late stages.