Scientists have discovered a new virus is transmitted by blood transfusion

The virus found in the samples, called "human hepegivirus-1» (HHpgV-1). This is the first virus, described recently, which is associated with blood transfusion.

The findings are published in the journal mBio American Society for Microbiology. According to the publication, researchers at Columbia University have discovered a new virus that can be transmitted by blood transfusion. According to them, it is a bit like the hepatitis B virus, which can cause permanent damage to the liver, but also looks like pegivirus, which, unlike hepatitis B, is not pathogenic and quickly dies. In addition, the observation of doctors, pegivirus brings some benefits: it increases the resistance in patients with HIV co-infection with the two viruses.

The new virus is called "human hepegivirus-1» (HHpgV-1). To find it, a team of scientists to explore the old blood samples (between 1974 and 1980) of 46 volunteers. All volunteers received the blood for the treatment of hemophilia. HHpgV-1 virus was found in two samples. Then another 106 specialists studied blood samples from other volunteers and found the virus in two more persons. However, they found no evidence that the virus caused any disease.

"This is the first virus, described recently, which is associated with blood transfusion. We do not know whether it is a major cause of hepatitis, "- said the expert in infectious diseases Dr. Ian Lipkin, who was in charge of a team of researchers at Columbia University.

However, scientists say that is nothing to worry about. The virus is not deadly. "I'm not really worried about this virus, - said Ian Lipkin. - It is not SARS. This is not a MERS. It is not HIV. "

Note that the most common viral infectious complication of blood transfusion remains the hepatitis B and C HIV infection rather rare, but still it is a major concern of doctors. Furthermore, foreign blood can be transferred to the herpes virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1 and -2) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

We also add that in the past year, scientists from the University of San Diego (California, USA) opened in the human gut microflora previously unknown microorganisms. This virus is useful even for a person, he is able to kill bacteria. The researchers concluded that the newly discovered virus is a bacteriophage, that is, can selectively kill bacterial cells, and found his target - Bacteriodetes. This is one of the most common types of intestinal bacteria. They live in the rectum and is believed to play a key role in the development of obesity and diabetes.

Source: http://naked-science.ru/article/sci/uchenye-obnaruzhili-novyi-viru