TTV and other anelloviruses: The astonishingly wide spread of a viral infection
Pietro Giorgio Spezia, Daniele Focosi, Andreina Baj, Federica Novazzi, Francesca Drago Ferrante, Fabrizio Carletti, Claudia Minosse, Giulia Matusali, Fabrizio Maggi
Abstract
The broad family of viruses known as anelloviruses (AV) infects both humans and numerous animal species. They have a tiny, covalently closed single-stranded DNA genome and the astonishing capacity to infect a very high percentage of healthy and ill people with chronic infections that could last a lifetime. AV, and particularly the prototype Torquetenovirus, have established a successful interaction with the host's immune system and the rate at which they replicate is a gauge to measure overall immune function, even though many aspects of their life cycle and pathogenesis are still poorly understood.