Approximately 80% of the human adult population has been infected
or will be infected with some strain of herpes virus. Although most of
these cases are asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic, the disease
can actually be lethal for a small portion of the population such as those
with compromised immune systems like babies or people with advanced
HIV infection. However a recent paper that was published within the
scientific community brings to light a new concern when it comes to herpes
virus.
these cases are asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic, the disease
can actually be lethal for a small portion of the population such as those
with compromised immune systems like babies or people with advanced
HIV infection. However a recent paper that was published within the
scientific community brings to light a new concern when it comes to herpes
virus.
Persistent herpes virus infection is caused by an infection that becomes
latent in a person, usually thanks to immune system response to keep the
virus at bay. Typically this isn’t of much concern, however, when this is combined
with the inhalation of environmental nano-particles, the infection can become
reactivated leading to an acute infection which can cause severe tissue damage
or result in chronic lung disease such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
latent in a person, usually thanks to immune system response to keep the
virus at bay. Typically this isn’t of much concern, however, when this is combined
with the inhalation of environmental nano-particles, the infection can become
reactivated leading to an acute infection which can cause severe tissue damage
or result in chronic lung disease such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
What are these nano-particles that the researchers talk about? They are
combustion derived nano-particles that you can find in diesel exhaust, diesel soot,
or welding fumes as a few examples. There is also a growing concern about
nanotechnology and how nano-particles produced from nanotechnology could affect
human health as it becomes more prevalent.
combustion derived nano-particles that you can find in diesel exhaust, diesel soot,
or welding fumes as a few examples. There is also a growing concern about
nanotechnology and how nano-particles produced from nanotechnology could affect
human health as it becomes more prevalent.
According to the research, several exposures of latent virions in the lung to
nano-particles restores a molecular signature characteristic for acute viral infection.
In other words, these nano-particles are inducing viral replication. Researchers still
don’t know what the exact mechanisms for this are, but they are working to decipher
it and hopefully develop preventive measures against a possible surge of complicated
herpes virus infections we could be seeing in the future.
nano-particles restores a molecular signature characteristic for acute viral infection.
In other words, these nano-particles are inducing viral replication. Researchers still
don’t know what the exact mechanisms for this are, but they are working to decipher
it and hopefully develop preventive measures against a possible surge of complicated
herpes virus infections we could be seeing in the future.
-Renata Starbird
http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-health/2018/09/18/exposure-nanoparticles-can-activate-herpesvirus-viruses-lungs-winner-particle-fibre-toxicology-best-paper-award-2018/
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