virus can combine to avoid the human immune system?
Scientists have discovered that respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus can form a new mixed virus that avoids the human immune system and infects lung cells.
According to a study published in the UK's journal Natural Microbiology on October 24, the British MRC-Glasgow Virus Research Center used influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to co-infect human lung cells. It was found that the two viruses from different families did not compete with each other, but fused into a new palm-like hybrid virus - respiratory syncytial virus to form a tree trunk, and influenza A virus to form leaves.
Influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mixed into a new virus
This is the first time researchers have observed this "hybrid virus".
combined infection, i.e., one person is infected with two viruses at the same time, which is quite common, but before this study, there was almost no data on how different viruses react in the same cell.
study shows that the "hybrid virus" combines the genome and external proteins of influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus. Moreover, this new virus can escape the attack of the human immune system and can also contact and infect more nearby lung cells. But since the study was conducted using a lab-cultured cell layer, scientists hope to continue to explore whether the "hybrid virus" will form in patients with co-infection.
Analyses pointed out that this "hybrid virus" may increase the chance of suffering from influenza and triggering severe lung infection . The findings may help explain why some co-infections can lead to a significant worsening of the disease in some patients, the researchers say.
Researchers are also trying to explore what role the novel virus plays in viral pneumonia , which is difficult to treat and potentially fatal, and is often believed to be caused by influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus and coronavirus.
Every year, about 5 million people worldwide are hospitalized for influenza A, and respiratory syncytial virus is the main cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection of in children under 5 years old, and may also cause serious illness in some children and adults. It is also reported that the medical systems in several states have been overwhelmed by the surge in influenza cases and respiratory syncytial virus infection in the United States recently. Relevant health officials even warned that the United States will experience a "hard six to seven weeks."
What is particularly disturbing is the mixed attacks on children by multiple respiratory viruses.
Mark Kline, attending physician at Children's Hospital in New Orleans, said some of the children they treated were infected with two to three viruses at the same time. "When we were doing nasal swab tests, we found that not only did the children test positive for influenza, but they may also carry RSV virus , enterovirus or adenovirus at the same time," he said.
Deanna Behrens, a pediatric critical care physician at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago, said that infants and preschool children are infected with influenza, RSV, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and enterovirus "never imagined before."
Experts say that the main reason for the surge in respiratory cases in children is the lack of immunity in children. Infants and young children usually spend their time at home for two or three years since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which also leads to lower immunity.
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