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THE TORQUE TENO VIRUS TITER IN SALIVA REFLECTS THE LEVEL OF CIRCULATING CD4+ T LYMPHOCYTES AND HIV IN INDIVIDUALS UNDERGOING ANTIRETROVIRAL MAINTENANCE THERAPY
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Abstract
Introduction: Torque teno virus (TTV) is a non-pathogenic virus present in body fluids.
Its titer in the circulation increases in association with immune suppression, such as in
HIV-infected individuals.We evaluated if the TTV titer in saliva fromHIV-positive individuals
undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) was related to the circulating CD4+ T lymphocyte
concentration and the HIV titer.
Methods: Saliva was collected from 276 asymptomatic individuals undergoing ART,
and an additional 48 individuals positive for AIDS-associated Kaposi’s Sarcoma (AIDSKS).
The salivary TTV titer was measured by gene amplification analysis. The circulating
CD4+ T lymphocyte and HIV levels were obtained by chart review.
Results: TTV was detectable in saliva from 80%of the asymptomatic subjects and 87%
of those with AIDS-KS. In the asymptomatic group the median log10 TTV titer/ml was
3.3 in 200 males vs. 2.4 in 76 females (p < 0.0001). TTV titer/ml was 3.7 when HIV was
acquired by intravenous drug usage, 3.2 when by sexual acquisition and 2.4 when blood
transfusion acquired. The salivary TTV titer was inversely correlated with the circulating
CD4+ T lymphocyte level (p < 0.0001) and positively correlated with the circulating HIV
concentration (p = 0.0005). The median salivary TTV titer and circulating HIV titer were
higher, and the CD4+ count was lower, in individuals positive for AIDS-KS than in the
asymptomatic subjects (p < 0.0001).
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