Molecular detection and genetic diversity of Torque teno canis virus in dogs in southern Italy

Torque teno viruses are an enigma, since contradictory data have defined them as both harmless and opportunistic. Dogs also have their own Torque tenovirus (TTCaV), which has been detected in various countries. The purpose of this study was to find TTCaV, for the first time in Italy, in the feces of seemingly healthy dogs and to assess risk variables associated with greater prevalences. In total, 18 of 171 animals (10.5%) tested positive for nested end-point PCR. No individual component (sex, age, etc.) was related with greater prevalences, although there were substantial disparities between kennels and mixed-breed animals. TTCaV was more frequently identified in dogs with an altered fecal score, although it did not appear to co-infect CPV-2-positive animals (only one of the 18 animals was also positive for CPV-2). A total of six amplicons were sequenced, yielding two distinct sequences that, when deposited in international databases and compared with those published in other studies, allowed the homology between the many strains to be detected globally (mostly in Asia). Although many questions about TTVs (such as their true pathogenicity) remain unanswered, our work described the presence of this virus in the dog population of southern Italy, providing valuable information for the study of this virus in Europe.