UK (Commonwealth Union) – Noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer and kidney disease remain the leading cause of fatalities. However, the recent emergence of viral diseases such as COVID-19 and more recently monkeypox, has led to an increased interest among researchers on viral diseases.
A new laboratory study with cells from human lungs has shed light for the 1st time on the hidden world of viral coinfections. The study led by the MRC (Medical Research Council)-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research gives a rare vision into the world of viral coinfection in human cells. Scientists believe results of the study may assist in explaining the reasons coinfections bring about significantly worse outcomes for some patients, such as hard-to-treat viral pneumonia.
Human lung cells were implemented by researchers who evaluated how two viruses, influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), acted while infecting cells at the same time. Influenza A causes more than 5 million hospitalizations around the world each year and is a significant burden on the NHS (National Health Service) and healthcare in winter months. RSV is the primary reason for acute lower respiratory tract infection in children under 5 years old, and may lead to severe illness and hospitalizations for some children.
Coinfections by over one virus is seen in approximately 10-30 percent of all respiratory viral infections and common among children. The clinical effects of viral coinfections are not certain, while some prior findings show that coinfections make no change in the outcome of the disease, others have indicated a rise in viral pneumonia.
First author of the paper, Dr Joanne Haney also from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, stated that respiratory viruses are among many viruses, all targeting the same region of the body, adding that “Coinfection studies can help us in preparing for future pandemics by understanding how the introduction of one virus can influence and interact with other circulating viruses.”
