Correlation between Torque tenovirus infection and serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein in children hospitalized for acute respiratory diseases

J Infect Dis. 2004 Sep 1;190(5):971-4. doi: 10.1086/423143. Epub 2004 Jul 23.

Abstract

Children with bronchopneumonia have considerably higher Torque tenovirus (TTV) loads than do children with milder acute respiratory diseases (ARDs). Moreover, in children with ARDs, high TTV loads correlate with low percentages of circulating CD3+ and CD4+ T cells and with elevated percentages of B cells, suggesting that TTV might be immunomodulatory. Here, we show that, in children with ARDs, the presence of TTV and TTV load correlate with concentrations of serum eosinophil cationic protein. The possible mechanisms whereby TTV infection might lead to augmented activity of eosinophils and the implications for pathogenesis are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Blood Proteins
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA Virus Infections / blood*
  • DNA Virus Infections / virology*
  • Eosinophil Granule Proteins
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / blood*
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / virology
  • Ribonucleases / blood*
  • Torque teno virus / physiology*
  • Viral Load*

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Eosinophil Granule Proteins
  • Ribonucleases