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Sinha R, Zhu Z, Park S, Rebello C, Kinsella B, Friedewald J, Kleiboeker S. Combined Metagenomic Viral Detection and Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA Quantification in Plasma From Kidney Transplant Recipients. Transplant Proc 2024; 56:1522-1530. [PMID: 38972761 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2024.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kidney transplant recipients require potent immunosuppression and are predisposed to opportunistic infections, many of which have a viral etiology. Currently, viral assays detect and quantify single pathogens using PCR or qPCR. An unbiased sequencing method with comparable accuracy would allow simultaneous monitoring of multiple viral pathogens and nonpathogenic Anelloviridae. The quantification of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is an established method for the detection of allograft rejection, and a single workflow combining dd-cfDNA quantification and viral detection represents an opportunity to improve patient monitoring and management. METHODS Whole genome sequencing of cell-free DNA was performed using 1,980 plasma samples from 256 subjects enrolled in a multi-center study. Non-human sequences underwent reference-assisted assembly and taxonomic annotation of the viral DNA pathogens. RESULTS Of the 1,980 samples tested, 1,453 (73.4%) had ≥1 viral detection(s), either a known viral pathogen or torque teno virus (TTV), with positivity rates generally declining 12-18 months post-transplant. Concordance of metagenomic NGS (mNGS) viral detection with qPCR detection was 97.7% (94.1% sensitivity, 98.2% specificity), and a linear relationship was demonstrated between mNGS viral quantitation and qPCR results. BK virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus were detected by sequencing up to 60 days prior to independently established clinical diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Whole-genome sequencing allows simultaneous quantification of dd-cfDNA as well as sensitive and early detection of viral infection through secondary analysis of the same sequencing results. In combination with dd-cfDNA, mNGS viral detection may provide additional pathogen surveillance results and serve as a useful biomarker for both over- and under-immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohita Sinha
- Eurofins Viracor Clinical Diagnostics, Lenexa, Kansas
| | - Zixuan Zhu
- Eurofins Viracor Clinical Diagnostics, Lenexa, Kansas
| | - Sookhyeon Park
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Bradley Kinsella
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John Friedewald
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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Chauvelot L, Barba T, Saison C, Siska E, Kulifaj D, Bakker SJL, Koenig A, Rabeyrin M, Buron F, Picard C, Dijoud F, Manière L, Lina B, Morelon E, Dubois V, Thaunat O. Longitudinal monitoring of Torque Teno virus DNAemia in kidney transplant recipients correlates with long-term complications of inadequate immunosuppression. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29806. [PMID: 39007420 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Optimization of individual immunosuppression, which reduces the risks of both graft loss and patients' death, is considered the best approach to improve long-term outcomes of renal transplantation. Torque Teno Virus (TTV) DNAemia has emerged as a potential biomarker reflecting the depth of therapeutic immunosuppression during the initial year post-transplantation. However, its efficacy in long-term monitoring remains uncertain. In a cohort study involving 34 stable kidney transplant recipients and 124 healthy volunteers, we established lower and upper TTV DNAemia thresholds (3.75-5.1 log10 cp/mL) correlating with T-cell activatability, antibody response against flu vaccine, and risk for subsequent serious infections or cancer over 50 months. Validation in an independent cohort of 92 recipients confirmed that maintaining TTV DNAemia within this range in >50% of follow-up time points was associated with reduced risks of complications due to inadequate immunosuppression, including de novo DSA, biopsy-proven antibody-mediated rejection, graft loss, infections, or cancer. Multivariate analysis highlighted "in-target" TTV DNAemia as the sole independent variable significantly linked to decreased risk for long-term complications due to inadequate immunosuppression (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27 [0.09-0.77]; p = 0.019). Our data suggest that the longitudinal monitoring of TTV DNAemia in kidney transplant recipients could help preventing the long-term complications due to inadequate immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Chauvelot
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Thomas Barba
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
- Lyon-Est Medical Faculty, Claude Bernard University (Lyon 1), Lyon, France
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
| | - Carole Saison
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- French National Blood Service (EFS), HLA Laboratory, Lyon, France
| | - Evangelia Siska
- BioMérieux SA, 138, Rue Louis PASTEUR, Parc Technologique Delta Sud, Verniolle, France
| | - Dorian Kulifaj
- BioMérieux SA, 138, Rue Louis PASTEUR, Parc Technologique Delta Sud, Verniolle, France
| | - Stephan J L Bakker
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alice Koenig
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Lyon-Est Medical Faculty, Claude Bernard University (Lyon 1), Lyon, France
| | - Maud Rabeyrin
- Department of Pathology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Bron, France
| | - Fanny Buron
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
| | - Cécile Picard
- Department of Pathology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Bron, France
| | - Frédérique Dijoud
- Department of Pathology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Bron, France
| | - Louis Manière
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
| | - Bruno Lina
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuel Morelon
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Lyon-Est Medical Faculty, Claude Bernard University (Lyon 1), Lyon, France
| | - Valerie Dubois
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- French National Blood Service (EFS), HLA Laboratory, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Thaunat
- Department of Transplantation, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Centre, Lyon, France
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Lyon-Est Medical Faculty, Claude Bernard University (Lyon 1), Lyon, France
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Spezia PG, Carletti F, Novazzi F, Specchiarello E, Genoni A, Drago Ferrante F, Minosse C, Matusali G, Mancini N, Focosi D, Antonelli G, Girardi E, Maggi F. Torquetenovirus Viremia Quantification Using Real-Time PCR Developed on a Fully Automated, Random-Access Platform. Viruses 2024; 16:963. [PMID: 38932255 PMCID: PMC11209079 DOI: 10.3390/v16060963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Quantification of Torquetenovirus (TTV) viremia is becoming important for evaluating the status of the immune system in solid organ transplant recipients, monitoring the appearance of post-transplant complications, and controlling the efficacy of maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. Thus, diagnostic approaches able to scale up TTV quantification are needed. Here, we report on the development and validation of a real-time PCR assay for TTV quantification on the Hologic Panther Fusion® System by utilizing its open-access channel. The manual real-time PCR previously developed in our laboratories was optimized to detect TTV DNA on the Hologic Panther Fusion® System. The assay was validated using clinical samples. The automated TTV assay has a limit of detection of 1.6 log copies per ml of serum. Using 112 samples previously tested via manual real-time PCR, the concordance in TTV detection was 93% between the assays. When the TTV levels were compared, the overall agreement between the methods, as assessed using Passing-Bablok linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses, was excellent. In summary, we validated a highly sensitive and accurate method for the diagnostic use of TTV quantification on a fully automated Hologic Panther Fusion® System. This will greatly improve the turnaround time for TTV testing and better support the laboratory diagnosis of this new viral biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (E.S.); (C.M.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Fabrizio Carletti
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (E.S.); (C.M.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Federica Novazzi
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, Italy; Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.N.); (A.G.); (F.D.F.); (N.M.)
| | - Eliana Specchiarello
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (E.S.); (C.M.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Angelo Genoni
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, Italy; Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.N.); (A.G.); (F.D.F.); (N.M.)
| | - Francesca Drago Ferrante
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, Italy; Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.N.); (A.G.); (F.D.F.); (N.M.)
| | - Claudia Minosse
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (E.S.); (C.M.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (E.S.); (C.M.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Nicasio Mancini
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, Italy; Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (F.N.); (A.G.); (F.D.F.); (N.M.)
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Guido Antonelli
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Scientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (E.S.); (C.M.); (G.M.); (F.M.)
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4
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Eibensteiner F, Messner I, Uhl P, Bond G, Puchhammer-Stoeckl E, Mueller-Sacherer T, Aufricht C, Rusai K. The association of Torque Teno viral load with CMV and BKV infection in pediatric and adolescent kidney transplant patients. J Clin Virol 2024; 172:105673. [PMID: 38564881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2024.105673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term allograft and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KTX) depends on the balance between over- and under-immunosuppression (IS). High levels of IS predispose to opportunistic infections. Plasma load of Torque Teno Virus (TTV), a non-pathogenic highly prevalent Annellovirus, is associated with its hosts immune status, especially after solid organ transplantation. OBJECTIVES To investigate the association of plasma TTV load and opportunistic viral infections after pediatric KTX. STUDY DESIGN This retrospective study includes all pediatric KTX patients followed at the Medical University of Vienna 2014-2020. PCR for Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), BK virus (BKV), and TTV was performed every 4-8 weeks at routine follow-up visits. RESULTS 71 pediatric KTX patients were followed with TTV measurements for a median of 2.7 years. TTV plasma load was associated with CMV DNAemia at the next visit with an OR of 2.37 (95 % CI 1.15-4.87; p = 0.03) after adjustment for time after KTX and recipient age. For a cut-off of 7.68 log10 c/mL TTV a sensitivity of 100 %, a specificity of 61 %, a NPV 100 %, and a PPV of 46 % to detect CMV DNAemia at the next visit was calculated. TTV plasma loads were also associated with BKV DNAuria and BKV DNAemia at the next visit, but not with EBV DNAemia. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to analyse associations between TTV plasma loads and opportunistic viral infections in pediatric KTX. We were able to present a TTV cut-off for the prediction of clinically relevant CMV DNAemia that might be useful in clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Eibensteiner
- Division of Paediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ines Messner
- Division of Paediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Phoebe Uhl
- Division of Paediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Bond
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Thomas Mueller-Sacherer
- Division of Paediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Aufricht
- Division of Paediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Krisztina Rusai
- Division of Paediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
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5
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Laroche C, Engen RM. Immune monitoring in pediatric kidney transplant. Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14785. [PMID: 38766986 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term outcomes in pediatric kidney transplantation remain suboptimal, largely related to chronic rejection. Creatinine is a late marker of renal injury, and more sensitive, early markers of allograft injury are an active area of current research. METHODS This is an educational review summarizing existing strategies for monitoring for rejection in kidney transplant recipients. RESULTS We summarize supporting currently available clinical tests, including surveillance biopsy, donor specific antibodies, and donor-derived cell free DNA, as well as the potential limitations of these studies. In addition, we review the current avenues of active research, including transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and torque tenovirus levels. CONCLUSION Advancing the use of noninvasive immune monitoring will depend on well-designed multicenter trials that include patients with stable graft function, include biopsy results on all patients, and can demonstrate both association with a patient-relevant clinical endpoint such as graft survival or change in glomerular filtration rate and a potential timepoint for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel M Engen
- University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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6
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Eder M, Schrag TA, Havel EF, Kainz A, Omic H, Doberer K, Kozakowski N, Körmöczi GF, Schönbacher M, Fischer G, Strassl R, Breuer M, Weseslindtner L, Haupenthal F, Böhmig GA, Puchhammer-Stöckl E, Bond G, Görzer I, Eskandary F. Polyomavirus Nephropathy in ABO Blood Group-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation: Torque Teno Virus and Immunosuppressive Burden as an Approximation to the Problem. Kidney Int Rep 2024; 9:1730-1741. [PMID: 38899213 PMCID: PMC11184242 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Earlier reports suggest that patients after ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi) are at enhanced risk of developing BK-virus (BKV, also known as BK polyomavirus [BKPyV]) nephropathy (BKPyVAN). It remains elusive whether this is a result of more intense immunosuppression or an ABOi-associated "intrinsic attribute." To address this question, we measured Torque Teno virus (TTV) loads as a quantitative proxy for immunosuppressive depth in ABOi recipients and compared them to human leukocyte antigen-incompatible (HLAi, i.e. pretransplant donor-specific antibody-positive) and standard-risk transplant recipients. Methods Our retrospective study screened 2256 consecutive kidney transplantations performed between 2007 and 2020 at the Medical University of Vienna. Out of 629 in-principle eligible transplantations, we were able to include 465 patients: 42 ABOi, 106 HLAi, and 317 control recipients. Longitudinal TTV- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and BKV-PCR was carried out at predefined timepoints and ranged from pretransplant until month 24 posttransplantation. TTV loads and immunosuppression were evaluated in the context of BKV-associated complications. Results ABOi recipients had a higher TTV load compared to HLAi and controls both at month 3 (median 1.5 × 109 vs. 2.4 × 108 vs. 9.1 × 107; P = 0.010) and at month 6 (3.1 × 109 vs. 1.4 × 107 vs. 6.4 × 107; P = 0.014) posttransplantation. Tacrolimus exposure was significantly higher in ABOi patients compared to HLAi and control patients (ABOi vs. HLAi: P = 0.007; ABOi vs. controls: P < 0.0001). Biopsy-proven BKPyVAN was more frequent in ABOi recipients when compared to HLAi and control recipients (11.9% vs. 2.8% vs. 4.1%; P = 0.046). Conclusion Our data support the assumption that ABOi patients are indeed at higher risk to develop BKPyVAN. A higher TTV load and immunosuppressive burden suggest that intense immunosuppression, rather than an "intrinsic attribute" conferred by ABOi, may contribute to this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Eder
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tarek A. Schrag
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ella F. Havel
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Kainz
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Haris Omic
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konstantin Doberer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Günther F. Körmöczi
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlies Schönbacher
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gottfried Fischer
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Strassl
- Division of Clinical Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Breuer
- Division of Clinical Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Frederik Haupenthal
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg A. Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Gregor Bond
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irene Görzer
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Farsad Eskandary
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Reyes NS, Spezia PG, Jara R, Filippini F, Boccia N, García G, Hermida E, Poletta FA, Pistello M, Laham G, Maggi F, Echavarria M. Torque Teno Virus (TTV) in Renal Transplant Recipients: Species Diversity and Variability. Viruses 2024; 16:432. [PMID: 38543797 PMCID: PMC10974959 DOI: 10.3390/v16030432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Torque Teno Virus (TTV) is a nonpathogenic and ubiquitous ssDNA virus, a member of the Anelloviridae family. TTV has been postulated as a biomarker in transplant patients. This study aimed to determine the TTV species diversity and variability in renal transplant recipients and to associate species diversity with the corresponding TTV viral load. From 27 recipients, 30 plasma samples were selected. Viral load was determined using two real-time PCR assays, followed by RCA-NGS and ORF1 phylogenetic analysis. The TTV diversity was determined in all samples. Variability was determined in three patients with two sequential samples (pre- and post-transplantation). Most of the samples presented multiple TTV species, up to 15 different species were detected. In the pre-transplant samples (n = 12), the most prevalent species were TTV3 (75%) and TTV13 (75%), and the median number of species per sample was 5 (IQR: 4-7.5). TTV3 was also the most prevalent (56%) in the post-transplant samples (n = 18), and the median number of species was 2 (IQR: 1.8-5.5). No significant correlation between the number of species and viral load was found. The number and type of TTV species showed total variability over time. We report high TTV species diversity in Argentinian recipients, especially in pre-transplant period, with total intra-host variability. However, we found no significant correlation between this high diversity and TTV viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Soledad Reyes
- Virology Unit, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Galván 4102, Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina; (R.J.); (E.H.); (M.E.)
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Raquel Jara
- Virology Unit, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Galván 4102, Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina; (R.J.); (E.H.); (M.E.)
| | - Fabio Filippini
- Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (F.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Natalia Boccia
- Department of Nephrology, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina; (N.B.); (G.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Gonzalo García
- Department of Nephrology, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina; (N.B.); (G.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Eliana Hermida
- Virology Unit, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Galván 4102, Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina; (R.J.); (E.H.); (M.E.)
| | - Fernando Adrian Poletta
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina;
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (F.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Gustavo Laham
- Department of Nephrology, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina; (N.B.); (G.G.); (G.L.)
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marcela Echavarria
- Virology Unit, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC) University Hospital, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Galván 4102, Buenos Aires C1631FWO, Argentina; (R.J.); (E.H.); (M.E.)
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8
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Regele F, Haupenthal F, Doberer K, Görzer I, Kapps S, Strassl R, Bond G. The kinetics of Torque Teno virus plasma load following calcineurin inhibitor dose change in kidney transplant recipients. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29554. [PMID: 38511586 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Torque Teno virus (TTV) is nonpathogenic, highly prevalent, and reflects the immune status of its host. Thus, TTV plasma load was suggested for the guidance of immunosuppression post solid organ transplantation. The present study was designed to determine the kinetics of TTV following changes in calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) dose. A total of 48 adult recipients of a kidney graft transplanted at the Medical University of Vienna between 2018 and 2019 with isolated changes in CNI dose were selected from the prospective TTV-POET trial. TTV plasma load was quantified by in-house PCR. At Day 30 following CNI dose adaptation (median 33% of daily dose) no changes in TTV load were noted. However, at Day 60, following CNI dose reduction a lower TTV load of 6.4 log10 c/mL (median; interquartile range [IQR] 4.9-8.1) compared with the baseline of 7.1 log10 c/mL (IQR 5.3-8.9) was noted (p = 0.001); there was also a trend toward a higher TTV load following CNI increase (6.6 log10 c/mL, IQR 4.1-9.7 vs. 5.2 log10 c/mL, IQR 4.5-6.8; p = 0.09). The data suggested that TTV load changes become noticeable only 2 months after CNI dose adaptation, which might be the ideal time point for TTV load monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florina Regele
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frederik Haupenthal
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konstantin Doberer
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irene Görzer
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Kapps
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Strassl
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Bond
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Sabbaghian M, Gheitasi H, Shekarchi AA, Tavakoli A, Poortahmasebi V. The mysterious anelloviruses: investigating its role in human diseases. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:40. [PMID: 38281930 PMCID: PMC10823751 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03187-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Anelloviruses (AVs) that infect the human population are members of the Anelloviridae family. They are widely distributed in human populations worldwide. Torque teno virus (TTV) was the first virus of this family to be identified and is estimated to be found in the serum of 80-90% of the human population. Sometime after the identification of TTV, Torque teno mini virus (TTMV) and Torque teno midi virus (TTMDV) were also identified and classified in this family. Since identifying these viruses, have been detected in various types of biological fluids of the human body, including blood and urine, as well as vital organs such as the liver and kidney. They can be transmitted from person to person through blood transfusions, fecal-oral contact, and possibly sexual intercourse. Recent studies on these newly introduced viruses show that although they are not directly related to human disease, they may be indirectly involved in initiating or exacerbating some human population-related diseases and viral infections. Among these diseases, we can mention various types of cancers, immune system diseases, viral infections, hepatitis, and AIDS. Also, they likely use the microRNAs (miRNAs) they encode to fulfill this cooperative role. Also, in recent years, the role of proliferation and their viral load, especially TTV, has been highlighted to indicate the immune system status of immunocompromised people or people who undergo organ transplants. Here, we review the possible role of these viruses in diseases that target humans and highlight them as important viruses that require further study. This review can provide new insights to researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sabbaghian
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Gheitasi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Shekarchi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Tavakoli
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahdat Poortahmasebi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Haupenthal F, Bond G. Torque Teno Viral Plasma Load for Immunologic Monitoring in Solid Organ Transplantation: One Step Further. Transplantation 2023; 107:e326-e327. [PMID: 37798831 PMCID: PMC10664785 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Haupenthal
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Bond
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Minosse C, Matusali G, Meschi S, Grassi G, Francalancia M, D’Offizi G, Spezia PG, Garbuglia AR, Montalbano M, Focosi D, Girardi E, Vaia F, Ettorre GM, Maggi F. Torquetenovirus Loads in Peripheral Blood Predict Both the Humoral and Cell-Mediated Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Elicited by the mRNA Vaccine in Liver Transplant Recipients. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1656. [PMID: 38005988 PMCID: PMC10674741 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, mass vaccination campaigns have largely controlled the disease burden but have not prevented virus circulation. Unfortunately, many immunocompromised patients have failed to mount protective immune responses after repeated vaccinations, and liver transplant recipients are no exception. Across different solid organ transplant populations, the plasma levels of Torquetenovirus (TTV), an orphan and ubiquitous human virus under control of the immune system, have been shown to predict the antibody response after COVID-19 vaccinations. We show here a single-institution experience with TTV viremia in 134 liver transplant recipients at their first or third dose. We found that TTV viremia before the first and third vaccine doses predicts serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG levels measured 2-4 weeks after the second or third dose. Pre-vaccine TTV loads were also associated with peripheral blood anti-SARS-CoV-2 cell-mediated immunity but not with serum SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Minosse
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Silvia Meschi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Germana Grassi
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology and Pharmacology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Massimo Francalancia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Gianpiero D’Offizi
- Department of Liver Transplantation POIT, Clinical and Research Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.D.); (M.M.); (G.M.E.)
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Anna Rosa Garbuglia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Marzia Montalbano
- Department of Liver Transplantation POIT, Clinical and Research Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.D.); (M.M.); (G.M.E.)
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Scientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Vaia
- General Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Maria Ettorre
- Department of Liver Transplantation POIT, Clinical and Research Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.D.); (M.M.); (G.M.E.)
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
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12
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Engel B, Görzer I, Campos-Murguia A, Hartleben B, Puchhammer-Stöckl E, Jaeckel E, Taubert R. Association of torque teno virus viremia with liver fibrosis in the first year after liver transplantation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1215868. [PMID: 37533865 PMCID: PMC10392936 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1215868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Torque teno virus (TTV) replication is controlled by immune status, mirroring a degree of immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation. TTV viraemia (TTVv) was associated with acute cellular rejection and infection within the first year after liver transplantation (LT). Long-term data on TTV after LT and correlation with graft injury from protocol biopsies are limited. Methods One hundred plasma samples paired with graft biopsies from a prospective single-center biorepository were analyzed. Results The median time post-LT was 23 months (range, 2-298). TTVv was detectable in 97%. TTVv decreased over time after LT and showed a significant decline from year 1 to later time points. Hence, TTVv correlated negatively with histologic liver fibrosis (liver allograft fibrosis and Ishak scores) and positively with the overall immunosuppression degree quantified by an immunosuppression score in the first year after LT. There was no association with dosages or trough levels of single immunosuppressants. The pharmacodynamic marker TTVv did not correlate with pharmacokinetic assessments of immunosuppression degree [calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) trough levels or immunosuppressant dosages]-our clinical gold standards to guide immunosuppressive therapy. TTVv was independently associated with histologically proven liver fibrosis after LT in the first year after LT in multivariate analysis. Discussion The independent association of histological graft fibrosis with lower TTVv in year 1 underscores that a pharmacodynamic marker would be preferable to individualize immunosuppression after LT. However, a high variability of TTVv at the low immunosuppression doses given after the first year precludes TTV as a clinically useful marker after LT in the long-term liver transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Engel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Irene Görzer
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alejandro Campos-Murguia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Hartleben
- Institute for Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Richard Taubert
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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13
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Cebriá-Mendoza M, Beamud B, Andreu-Moreno I, Arbona C, Larrea L, Díaz W, Sanjuán R, Cuevas JM. Human Anelloviruses: Influence of Demographic Factors, Recombination, and Worldwide Diversity. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0492822. [PMID: 37199659 PMCID: PMC10269794 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04928-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Anelloviruses represent the major and most diverse component of the healthy human virome, referred to as the anellome. In this study, we determined the anellome of 50 blood donors, forming two sex- and age-matched groups. Anelloviruses were detected in 86% of the donors. The number of detected anelloviruses increased with age and was approximately twice as high in men as in women. A total of 349 complete or nearly complete genomes were classified as belonging to torque teno virus (TTV), torque teno mini virus (TTMV), and torque teno midi virus (TTMDV) anellovirus genera (197, 88, and 64 sequences, respectively). Most donors had intergenus (69.8%) or intragenus (72.1%) coinfections. Despite the limited number of sequences, intradonor recombination analysis showed 6 intragenus recombination events in ORF1. As thousands of anellovirus sequences have been described recently, we finally analyzed the global diversity of human anelloviruses. Species richness and diversity were close to saturation in each anellovirus genus. Recombination was found to be the main factor promoting diversity, although its effect was significantly lower in TTV than in TTMV and TTMDV. Overall, our results suggest that differences in diversity between genera may be caused by variations in the relative contribution of recombination. IMPORTANCE Anelloviruses are the most common human infectious viruses and are considered essentially harmless. Compared to other human viruses, they are characterized by enormous diversity, and recombination is suggested to play an important role in their diversification and evolution. Here, by analyzing the composition of the plasma anellome of 50 blood donors, we find that recombination is also a determinant of viral evolution at the intradonor level. On a larger scale, analysis of anellovirus sequences currently available in databases shows that their diversity is close to saturation and differs among the three human anellovirus genera and that recombination is the main factor explaining this intergenus variability. Global characterization of anellovirus diversity could provide clues about possible associations between certain virus variants and pathologies, as well as facilitate the implementation of unbiased PCR-based detection protocols, which may be relevant for using anelloviruses as endogenous markers of immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cebriá-Mendoza
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Beamud
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
- FISABIO-Salud Pública, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Iván Andreu-Moreno
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Arbona
- Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luís Larrea
- Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Wladimiro Díaz
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
- Genomic and Health Area, Foundation for the Promotion of Sanitary and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBEResp), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Sanjuán
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - José M. Cuevas
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universitat de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBEResp), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Reyes NS, Laham G, Boccia N, García G, Jara R, Hermida E, Ricarte C, Diaz C, Soler Pujol G, Poletta FA, Echavarria M. Prospective cohort study of Torque Teno Virus (TTV) viral load kinetics and the association with graft rejection in renal transplant patients. J Clin Virol 2023; 165:105501. [PMID: 37379781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Graft survival is mainly determined by rejections and infectious complications in transplant recipients. Torque Teno Virus (TTV), a nonpathogenic and ubiquitous single-stranded DNA virus, has been proposed as a biomarker of the immune status in transplant patients. This study aimed to determine the correlation between a Home-Brew TTV PCR and R-GENE®PCR; the TTV viral load kinetics in renal transplant recipients and the association with graft rejection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective cohort study on 107 adult renal transplant recipients. TTV viral load was determined in 746 plasma samples collected before and after renal transplantation by a Home-Brew PCR and a commercial PCR (R-GENE®PCR). Associations of TTV viral load with graft rejections were analyzed. RESULTS Agreement of both PCR assays was 93.2% and Pearson correlation coefficient was r: 0.902 (95%CI: 0.8881-0.9149, p < 0.0001). TTV viral load kinetics showed an initial gradual increase reaching a peak at 3 months. This highest value was followed by a slight decrease, reaching a plateau significantly higher than the initial baseline at 6 months (p < 0.0001). Between (181-270) days post-transplantation, TTV median viral load in patients with graft rejection was significantly lower, 3.59 Log10 copies/mL (by Home-Brew PCR) and 3.10 Log10 copies/mL (by R-GENE®PCR) compared to patients without graft rejection (6.14 and 5.96 Log10 copies/mL, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Significantly lower TTV viral load was observed in patients with renal rejection occurring at a median of 243 days post-transplantation. Given the dynamic behavior of TTV viral load post-transplantation, cut-off values for risk stratification to predict rejection might be determined in relation to the post-transplant period.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Reyes
- Virology Unit (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas University Hospital (CEMIC), Argentina.
| | - G Laham
- Nephrology section, CEMIC University Hospital, Argentina
| | - N Boccia
- Nephrology section, CEMIC University Hospital, Argentina
| | - G García
- Nephrology section, CEMIC University Hospital, Argentina
| | - R Jara
- Virology Unit (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas University Hospital (CEMIC), Argentina
| | - E Hermida
- Virology Unit (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas University Hospital (CEMIC), Argentina
| | - C Ricarte
- Virology Unit (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas University Hospital (CEMIC), Argentina
| | - C Diaz
- Nephrology section, CEMIC University Hospital, Argentina
| | - G Soler Pujol
- Nephrology section, CEMIC University Hospital, Argentina
| | - F A Poletta
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory (CEMIC-CONICET), Argentina
| | - M Echavarria
- Virology Unit (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas University Hospital (CEMIC), Argentina; Virology Laboratory, CEMIC, Argentina
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15
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Cañamero L, Benito-Hernández A, González E, Escagedo C, Rodríguez-Vidriales M, García-Saiz MDM, Valero R, Belmar L, de Cos MA, Francia MV, Ruiz JC, Rodrigo E. Torque Teno Virus Load Predicts Opportunistic Infections after Kidney Transplantation but Is Not Associated with Maintenance Immunosuppression Exposure. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051410. [PMID: 37239081 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Measuring the non-pathogenic Torque Teno Virus (TTV) load allows assessing the net immunosuppressive state after kidney transplantation (KTx). Currently, it is not known how exposure to maintenance immunosuppression affects TTV load. We hypothesized that TTV load is associated with the exposure to mycophenolic acid (MPA) and tacrolimus. We performed a prospective study including 54 consecutive KTx. Blood TTV load was measured by an in-house PCR at months 1 and 3. Together with doses and trough blood levels of tacrolimus and MPA, we calculated the coefficient of variability (CV), time in therapeutic range (TTR) and concentration/dose ratio (C/D) of tacrolimus, and the MPA-area under the curve (AUC-MPA) at the third month. TTV load at the first and third month discriminated those patients at risk of developing opportunistic infections between months 1 and 3 (AUC-ROC 0.723, 95%CI 0.559-0.905, p = 0.023) and between months 3 and 6 (AUC-ROC 0.778, 95%CI 0.599-0.957, p = 0.028), respectively, but not those at risk of acute rejection. TTV load did not relate to mean tacrolimus blood level, CV, TTR, C/D and AUC-MPA. To conclude, although TTV is a useful marker of net immunosuppressive status after KTx, it is not related to exposure to maintenance immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Cañamero
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - Adalberto Benito-Hernández
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - Elena González
- Immunopathology Group, Immunology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - Clara Escagedo
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - María Rodríguez-Vidriales
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - María Del Mar García-Saiz
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - Rosalía Valero
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - Lara Belmar
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - María Angeles de Cos
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - María Victoria Francia
- Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Group, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Ruiz
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
| | - Emilio Rodrigo
- Immunopathology Group, Nephrology Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39012 Santander, Spain
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16
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Prediction of humoral and cellular immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination by TTV load in kidney transplant recipients and hemodialysis patients. J Clin Virol 2023; 162:105428. [PMID: 36989730 PMCID: PMC10036154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Immunosuppressed individuals such as kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and hemodialysis patients (DP) show impaired immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination. Plasma Torque Teno Virus (TTV) DNA load is used as surrogate for the individual degree of immunosuppression. We now assessed the association of TTV load at time of COVID-19 vaccination with humoral and cellular immune response rates to vaccination in KTR, DP, and healthy medical personnel (MP). Methods A total of 100 KTR, 115 DP and 54 MP were included. All were SARS-CoV-2 seronegative at the time of vaccination with either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273. Plasma TTV loads were assessed at the time of first vaccination. After two-dose vaccination, seroconversion (de novo detection of SARS-CoV-2 S1-IgA and/or IgG) was determined. In addition, cellular responses as assessed by interferon γ release and neutralizing antibodies were assessed in a subset of participants. ROC analyses were performed to define TTV load cut-offs predicting specific immune responses to vaccination. Results Plasma TTV loads at the time of first vaccination were negatively associated with seroconversion after two-dose vaccination in KTR (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99). TTV loads were significantly lower in KTR who developed humoral and cellular immune responses to vaccination compared to non-responders (p=0.0411 and 0.0030, respectively). Of patients with TTV loads above 106 copies/ml, none developed cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, and only 2 of 17 (12%) seroconverted in response to vaccination. Conclusion Plasma TTV loads at the time of first vaccination in immunosuppressed individuals may be useful to predict individual vaccine-specific immune responses.
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Haupenthal F, Rahn J, Maggi F, Gelas F, Bourgeois P, Hugo C, Jilma B, Böhmig GA, Herkner H, Wolzt M, Doberer K, Vossen M, Focosi D, Neuwirt H, Banas M, Banas B, Budde K, Viklicky O, Malvezzi P, Rostaing L, Rotmans JI, Bakker SJL, Eller K, Cejka D, Pérez AM, Rodriguez-Arias D, König F, Bond G. A multicentre, patient- and assessor-blinded, non-inferiority, randomised and controlled phase II trial to compare standard and torque teno virus-guided immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients in the first year after transplantation: TTVguideIT. Trials 2023; 24:213. [PMID: 36949445 PMCID: PMC10032258 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07216-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunosuppression after kidney transplantation is mainly guided via plasma tacrolimus trough level, which cannot sufficiently predict allograft rejection and infection. The plasma load of the non-pathogenic and highly prevalent torque teno virus (TTV) is associated with the immunosuppression of its host. Non-interventional studies suggest the use of TTV load to predict allograft rejection and infection. The primary objective of the current trial is to demonstrate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of TTV-guided immunosuppression. METHODS For this purpose, a randomised, controlled, interventional, two-arm, non-inferiority, patient- and assessor-blinded, investigator-driven phase II trial was designed. A total of 260 stable, low-immunological-risk adult recipients of a kidney graft with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and TTV infection after month 3 post-transplantation will be recruited in 13 academic centres in six European countries. Subjects will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio (allocation concealment) to receive tacrolimus either guided by TTV load or according to the local centre standard for 9 months. The primary composite endpoint includes the occurrence of infections, biopsy-proven allograft rejection, graft loss, or death. The main secondary endpoints include estimated glomerular filtration rate, graft rejection detected by protocol biopsy at month 12 post-transplantation (including molecular microscopy), development of de novo donor-specific antibodies, health-related quality of life, and drug adherence. In parallel, a comprehensive biobank will be established including plasma, serum, urine and whole blood. The date of the first enrolment was August 2022 and the planned end is April 2025. DISCUSSION The assessment of individual kidney transplant recipient immune function might enable clinicians to personalise immunosuppression, thereby reducing infection and rejection. Moreover, the trial might act as a proof of principle for TTV-guided immunosuppression and thus pave the way for broader clinical applications, including as guidance for immune modulators or disease-modifying agents. TRIAL REGISTRATION EU CT-Number: 2022-500024-30-00.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Haupenthal
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jette Rahn
- Coordination Center for Clinical Trials, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - Fanny Gelas
- bioMérieux SA, Centre Christophe Merieux, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Christian Hugo
- Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernd Jilma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg A Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Herkner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Wolzt
- Clinical Trials Coordination Centre, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konstantin Doberer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Vossen
- Division of Infectious diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Hannes Neuwirt
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Miriam Banas
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Banas
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klemens Budde
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ondrej Viklicky
- Transplant Center, Department of Nephrology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paolo Malvezzi
- Department of Nephrology, Hemodialysis, Apheresis and Kidney Transplantation, CHU-Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Lionel Rostaing
- Department of Nephrology, Hemodialysis, Apheresis and Kidney Transplantation, CHU-Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Joris I Rotmans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephan J L Bakker
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kathrin Eller
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniel Cejka
- Ordensklinikum Linz GmbH Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Alberto Molina Pérez
- Institute for Advanced Social Studies, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Franz König
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Bond
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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