Researchers solve puzzle of recurring viral infection

[Kadie]

Researchers solve puzzle of recurring viral infectio

17 mins ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US researchers have uncovered the key to how a prolific virus is able to reinfect individuals despite a strong immune response, possibly opening the way for vaccines to deadly pathogens including HIV and malaria.

In a study of monkeys, scientists at Oregon Health Sciences University found that the common cytomegalovirus (CMV), which has infected up to 80 percent of the adult population, can overcome the body's ability to clean out infected cells unlike most viruses.

"In essence, CMV is able to cutoff an infected cell's call for elimination. This allows CMV to overcome this critical immune barrier during re-infection," explained Klaus Frueh, a senior scientist at the university.

CMV infection is not very serious in adults, but can be deadly in infants, transplant patients and others with suppressed immune systems.


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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/healthresearchusvirus

[tridim]

1. I wonder how CMV affects things like a flu vaccine?

Relax, I'm not anti-vaccine, just asking the question.

[Confusious]

2. It doesn't

This is a completely different virus:

cytomegalovirus--------->cytomegalo VIRUS

There is no connection to the flu, or the flu vaccine.

When they talk about it being a "vaccine vector" they are using it as a cure for other things.