Release date: 2015-09-25
The research team led by Amit Kapoor, a professor of virology at Columbia University, has developed a new and sophisticated sequencing technology that can be applied to DNA and RNA fragments. He received blood transfusions between 1974 and 1980, and blood samples were preserved before and after transfusion. Using "deep sequencing" technology, the research team captured the nucleic acid sequences of known viruses and simultaneously transfused in two blood transfusions. A new virus was found in the post-blood sample.
The new virus is similar to hepatitis C
This virus belongs to the genus of human pegivirus, so it was named human hepegivirus 1 (HHpgV-1) virus. Although hepatitis C virus causes severe liver damage, HHpgV-1 is harmless, and studies have shown it to be beneficial.
Kapoor said that many people know that humans can coexist with many bacteria, but they don't realize that this applies to some viruses as well. Related research results were published in "mBio" on September 22.
Kapoor and his research team expanded the sample size, but did not find the HHpgV-1 sequence. Subsequently, the researchers continued to analyze a number of different stored blood samples (from 106 hemophilia patients with a history of blood transfusion) and found HHpgV-1 sequences in more than two blood samples. However, there is no evidence that the sequence is associated with the disease.
The researchers were unable to isolate the virus from the stored blood, and there was no way to culture the virus with cells, but it did exist. The virologist Michael Houghton of the University of Alberta said that although the pollution often subverts the discovery of new viruses, the HHpgV-1 sequence looks real. Although the discovery of new viruses is unknown, its discovery itself clarifies the powerful capabilities of deep sequencing technology for detecting new viruses.
Is the new virus related to the disease? It remains to be studied
Michael Busch, one of the founders of the San Francisco Institute of Hematology, a former member of the US government's Blood Safety Advisory Group, and experimental pathologist, said it is still too early for the blood storage center to take action against the HHpgV-1 virus. He pointed out that many blood products, such as plasma, undergo filtration and inactivation processes that may eliminate HHpgV-1.
Studies have shown that people infected with HIV can benefit from hepegivirus infection, which consists of a portion of the HHpgV-1 sequence. “There is clear evidence that it reduces the pathogenesis of HIV,†he said.
Kapoor said that the main challenge now is to develop an antibody that can detect HHpgV-1 infection in large population samples. Based on this antibody, the researchers were able to compare healthy individuals with HHpgV-1 antibodies to the control group and finally obtain strong evidence that HHpgV-1 is associated with the disease.
Busch said that almost every year, scientists will find a new virus, some of which spread through the blood. Researchers are beginning to pay attention: Where do these different new variant viruses come from? Have they recently emerged or have coexisted with humans for a long time?
Source: Bio-Exploration
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