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Technophobe
Assistant Admin Joined: January 16 2014 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 88450 |
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Posted: November 13 2019 at 2:47pm |
November 13, 2019
Unknown virus discovered in humans by PR&D Austria An international team based in Austria has unearthed a previously unknown type of virus in samples of human bodily fluids. The researchers were looking for viruses that infect bacteria, known as bacteriophages, with an emphasis on those that attack the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium found in the human gut. The team identified a total of 43 bacteriophages in samples of human bodily fluids, particularly in blood samples. The discovery of such phages in the human body is especially significant because they can pass antibiotic resistance genes on to bacteria. Consequently, information about the prevalence and frequency of phages in humans, as well as the relationships between them, is urgently needed. The findings of a team from Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences under the lead of University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, which have now been published in an international journal, will make a major contribution in this regard. The human body is teeming with countless fungi, bacteria and viruses. Bacteriophages are one of the great unknowns in this human ecosystem. Interest in them has grown rapidly in light of research carried out in Austria, which highlighted the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria. A team of researchers from Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems), the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and the University of Lisbon has now isolated 43 bacteriophages from samples of human bodily fluids, including one which is thought to be a previously unknown type. "We examined 111 samples of blood, urine and other human body fluids to see if they contained phages. And we found them in almost one in seven samples," explained Dr. Cátia Pacífico, scientist at KL Krems and lead author of the study. "We also found a new kind of phage from the Tunavirinae subfamily. The presence of phages in so many samples and the discovery of a new form show just how little we know about phages in the human body." Experts describe this phenomenon as the "viral dark matter" in the human body—only a handful of research teams around the world have looked into phages in humans. This is all the more surprising since a balance between the various types of bacteria in the body is crucial for health, and also because phages attack specific bacteria, which could in turn throw this equilibrium severely off-kilter. But there is much more to phages as a factor in human health, as Dr. Pacífico points out: "Increasing antibiotic resistance is a major problem that is growing worldwide, and we still know very little about the way in which phages contribute to this." Targeted search The team, which was headed by Prof. Friederike Hilbert of the Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, has created new insights by searching specifically for bacteriophages, which infect the well-known gut bacterium E. coli. This bacterium plays an important part in various illnesses and is widely regarded as the most common cause of hospital infections. Analysis of the samples brought another surprising fact to light: "Almost two-thirds of the samples that contained phages against E. coli did not have any bacteria of this kind," Prof. Hilbert explained. "This suggests that phages can also be transported from A to B without their host bacteria." This conclusion appears to confirm recent suppositions made by her colleagues. In view of these findings, the team also examined the effectiveness of standard hospital disinfectants against the isolated phages. Prof. Hilbert commented: "Our results showed that not all disinfectants are capable of reliably destroying phages." Overall, the basic research performed by the international team, in which KL Krems participated, has contributed to a clearer understanding of the occurrence and prevalence of phages in the human body, and the ways in which they are related. KL Krems' involvement in this research also reflects the university's focus on research into niche subjects that are highly significant for the healthcare system. Source: https://phys.org/news/2019-11-unknown-virus-humans.html |
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carbon20
Moderator Joined: April 08 2006 Location: West Australia Status: Offline Points: 65816 |
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I have been very interested in "Phages" for quite awhile
I wonder if these phages,are what give some people "the edge"when a pandemic hits, I believe that the main people that survived "the black death" Had "O+blood group" I stand to be corrected on that statement.... |
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Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖
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Technophobe
Assistant Admin Joined: January 16 2014 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 88450 |
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I don't think there has been any historical studies done to find that out.
But, as O+ is now most common - maybe. After all, that would explain the higher numbers. |
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carbon20
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My thoughts exactly..... I'm o+ |
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Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖
Marcus Aurelius |
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EdwinSm,
Moderator Joined: April 03 2013 Status: Offline Points: 24065 |
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Where would I stand being O- ?
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carbon20
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No hope I'm afraid.....
lol |
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Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖
Marcus Aurelius |
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Technophobe
Assistant Admin Joined: January 16 2014 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 88450 |
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Don't let the '-' worry you.
We know the reason '-' blood groops are rarer, it has nothing to do with infection, but rejection-reaction of fetuses in the womb by the mother. We can deal with that now. So there should be no extra risks. In fact, to have survived the rejections before modern science, suggests it may have unseen benefits. |
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How do you tell if a politician is lying?
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Technophobe
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I'm O+ too Carbon.
Common lot aren't we? |
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How do you tell if a politician is lying?
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EdwinSm,
Moderator Joined: April 03 2013 Status: Offline Points: 24065 |
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Thanks everyone....I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek with the O- comment, but Techno you have given me a subject to spend my time on in internet research - It will be interesting to look at the issue more - Thank you
Edited to add: I just found this "It is believed in Japanese culture that a person's blood group determines his/her personality traits. O-negative persons are believed to be more self confident, loyal, competent and passionate. They are believed to have leadership qualities and are considered innovators and trend setters." I think I like the Japanese view, but it did go on to add the rider "However, there is little scientific evidence in favor of this believed association and so far blood group has not been found to affect a person's personality." |
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Technophobe
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Although I would love to think that those traits applied specifically to me, I suspect O+ people are seen as special in Japan as they are rarer there.
If my memory serves me correctly, the dominant blood groop in Japanese people is A. Globally O+ dominates, but there are big local variations. I believe there are diets (fashionable at the moment) based on your blood type. That could be rubbish too, most diets are. I look forward to the fruits of your research Edwin. Thank you for your kind words too. Blood type diets: https://snapwidget.com/v/tw/1135814175257767942/?ref=eyJpdiI6IitzUHl3Q09pTEtRTGJKUTQ1SEYydHc9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiaFVSTlZ6SUUzYjVQZHF1OXV6Tjl2ZWRQb0U3N1dKVFdKelwvYTd2d3FFeXFYSHdWNE1ubW1yc2VUQVFyRUVXSHpSRjdKcmlnNGZIXC9YWXRHQ2xPbjNtdz09IiwibWFjIjoiOWQwOGE1YWQwM2U5ZWI3NmQxOWM0M2M1NjdmNzhmYmRmODhhM2I1ZjU5Yzc3YzJlNjIxZDkwODFiY2IwNmMyOCJ9&sec=eyJpdiI6Ik5sUjVKbjZyU3d2Q3JzYURcLzlrUmpnPT0iLCJ2YWx1ZSI6Iit4RzFPTGdEUk4zZHJLTTlhYWU3dCthd0w4TUNOdTAxMUVZTkNmTEIxa0p1NmltSEFmT090UjJ3RENqXC8wU04xTjN1NE1TN3JhZ0JVcENwa29TcGg0dz09IiwibWFjIjoiYzI3N2RlMmRlMTA0ZDViYTJlZjRhODVhNmY2M2ZlMjE3NzBhZmU4YTcxMmMxYWFhNmQwNzg3Y2ZkNDIwYjg5NSJ9 |
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