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Gut Bacteria Lend a Molecular Hand to Viruses

Bob

Senior Member
Messages
16,455
Location
England (south coast)
Gut Bacteria Lend a Molecular Hand to Viruses
Elizabeth Pennisi
Science
14 October 2011
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6053/168.summary?forumid=331851

Successful Transmission of a Retrovirus Depends on the Commensal Microbiota
Melissa Kane et al
Science
14 October 2011
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6053/245.abstract

Intestinal Microbiota Promote Enteric Virus Replication and Systemic Pathogenesis
Sharon K. Kuss et al
Science
14 October 2011
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6053/249.abstract


I haven't got full access to these, but they are interesting because they relate to enteroviruses, which have been associated with ME, and also to mouse mammary tumor virus which is a mouse retrovirus (although it hasn't been associated with ME).
The papers relate to the viruses' behaviour in the gut (and the gut is another thing that is relevent to ME) and how the viruses rely on utilising certain bacterial gut proteins to infect the host.
I thought this was interesting for ME, because it might be worth investigating if different gut flora cause different individuals to be susceptible to certain viruses.
It could potentially be relevant to autism as well, seeing as there are changes in gut flora in people who have autism.
 

redo

Senior Member
Messages
874
+1 for a great post Bob! This is highly relevant to the problems we face.