Torque Teno Sus Virus 1: A Potential Surrogate Pathogen to Study Pig-Transmitted Transboundary Animal Diseases

Authors

Xiaolong Li, University of FloridaFollow
Brandon M. Parker, University of FloridaFollow
Raoul K. Boughton, Archbold Biological StationFollow
James C. Beasley, University of GeorgiaFollow
Timothy J. Smyser, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, ColoradoFollow
James D. Austin, University of Florida
Kim M. Pepin, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, ColoradoFollow
Ryan S. Miller, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Fort Collins, ColoradoFollow
Kurt C. VerCauteren, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, ColoradoFollow
Samantha M. Wisely, University of FloridaFollow

ORCID IDs

Li https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8396-2912

Beasley https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9707-3713

Smyser https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4542-3077

Miller https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3892-0251

VerCauteren https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4783-493X

Wisely https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1748-4518

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

MDPI Viruses (2024) 16: 1397

doi: 10.3390/v16091397

Academic editor: Raymond Rowland

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Understanding the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) among wild pigs (Sus scrofa) will aid in preventing the introduction or containment of TADs among wild populations. Given the challenges associated with studying TADs in free-ranging populations, a surrogate pathogen system may predict how pathogens may circulate and be maintained within wild free-ranging swine populations, how they may spill over into domestic populations, and how management actions may impact transmission. We assessed the suitability of Torque teno sus virus 1 (TTSuV1) to serve as a surrogate pathogen for molecular epidemiological studies in wild pigs by investigating the prevalence, persistence, correlation with host health status and genetic variability at two study areas: Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch in Florida and Savannah River Site in South Carolina. We then conducted a molecular epidemiological case study within Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch site to determine how analysis of this pathogen could inform transmission dynamics of a directly transmitted virus. Prevalence was high in both study areas (40%, n = 190), and phylogenetic analyses revealed high levels of genetic variability within and between study areas. Our case study showed that pairwise host relatedness and geographic distance were highly correlated to pairwise viral genetic similarity. Molecular epidemiological analyses revealed a distinct pattern of direct transmission from pig to pig occurring within and between family groups. Our results suggest that TTSuV1 is highly suitable for molecular epidemiological analyses and will be useful for future studies of transmission dynamics in wild free-ranging pigs.