Possible pathogenic nature of the recently discovered TT virus: does it play a role in autoimmune rheumatic diseases?

Autoimmun Rev. 2006 Nov;6(1):5-9. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2006.03.002. Epub 2006 Apr 19.

Abstract

Pathogenesis of viral origin has long been suggested in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Beside the well-defined virus induced transient or chronic rheumatic diseases often resembling systemic autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, viruses can contribute to disease pathogenesis by several different pathomechanisms. TT virus is a recently discovered virus of extremely high genetic diversity which commonly infects humans. Despite accumulated evidence on the biological characteristics of TTV, its pathogenicity is still in question; many consider TTV as a harmless endosymbiont. The recent paper overviews the biology of TT virus and investigates the hypothesis that TTV might have a causative role in human diseases with special attention to the possibility that TTV might trigger autoimmunity in rheumatic disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / virology*
  • DNA Virus Infections / diagnosis*
  • DNA Virus Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Rheumatic Diseases / etiology*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / virology*
  • Torque teno virus / genetics
  • Torque teno virus / isolation & purification*