Gammatorquevirus


Gammatorquevirus is a genus of viruses in the family Anelloviridae, in group. It contains 15 species, including the type species Torque teno midi virus 1. The fifteen species all share the same name, numbered 1-15, and for that reason "torque teno midi viruses" is used interchangeably with Gammatorquevirus.

Discovery

TTMDV, which stands for transfusion transmitted midi virus or torque teno midi virus was first isolated in 2005 from patients with an acute viral infection syndrome.
Because of the circular nature of its DNA genome, TTMDV was classified as an anellovirus. Genomic analysis confirmed this classification.
Like other anelloviruses, TTMDV is quite common, even in healthy individuals. It has been found in various bodily fluids, including saliva and nasopharyngeal aspirates.

Genome and capsid

Like other members of its family, TTMDV's genome is a circular single-stranded piece of DNA of a negative polarity. The genome is approximately 3.2 kb in length, which is slightly smaller than that of TTV and slightly larger than that of TTMV. it is a non-enveloped virus with a capsid of about 40 nm in diameter. The capsid possesses T=1 icosahedral symmetry.
The genomes of TTMDV, TTMV, and TTV are similar. The main differences are illustrated by Okamato 2009.

Clinical

The pathogenic effects of TTMDV in humans is not known. However, it has been isolated from diarrhea cases.