Try asking a person with hepatitis or influenza if they consider viruses good for their health. Still - viral diseases always occur with pronounced unpleasant symptoms, have complications, and besides, they are very contagious.
In Latin, the word "virus" is translated as "poison." But at one time, the great physician Paracelsus made it clear that toxins from drugs differ only in the selected dosage. Therefore, today we offer you the TOP-10 unique viruses that are very important for human health and life.
10. GB virus C
This microorganism is known to doctors and scientists as the group H hepatitis virus. It is known that more than 1 billion of the world's population are already carriers of this dangerous virus, without even suspecting that they are infected. Nevertheless, a number of experiments demonstrate that when patients with HIV also catch GB virus C, the progression of HIV slows down. Other scientists also suggest that GB virus C will help a patient with Ebola hemorrhagic fever recover.
9. Stomatitis for the treatment of oncology
Did you think that stomatitis is just a human disease with ulcers in the oral cavity? There is a type of vesicular stomatitis virus (called VSV) that attacks the body of horses, while spreading to mammals and humans. In humans, it causes classic symptoms - signs of a mild cold and a rash in the mouth. Doctors have learned to use genetically modified VSV for innovative liver cancer therapy. It turns out that it can actively multiply in weakened cancer cells that have lost resistance to viral infections. The first experiments with cancer patients are already underway.
8. I train, thanks to the virus
In the first months of life, the brain, like a sponge, actively absorbs and assimilates new information, skills, and abilities. This provides a viral protein called Arc, which transports the genetic material to neurons in an analogue to “pathogen host carrier”. Scientists introduced the viral protein into bacterial cells, and when they started to produce it, a capsid form (a shell with the genetic data of the virus) formed. The virus, "attached" to the genome of cells, falls asleep, and they begin to use its proteins for their own purposes. It is believed that in the future this mechanism will allow us to establish new connections between neurons and brain cells, and this will bring us closer to understanding about the formation of memories in humans.
7. Bacteriophages
These microorganisms exist in the body of every person on mucous surfaces. Their goal is to attack harmful bacteria and germs and destroy them. Five years ago, the study revealed that a bacteriophage was able, under other favorable conditions, to destroy E. coli. In this case, the cells of the host organism (including human) they do not selectively attack and do not infect. It is believed that these viruses are one of the most useful on the planet for the fight against bacterial infections.
6. Thank you for the live birth thanks to the retrovirus
It is known that live birth, which occurs in humans, is a complex, painful and lengthy process. If you take an interest and give a choice, then perhaps it would be more convenient for women to lay eggs or throw eggs instead of the classical delivery, like other animals. Surprisingly, for the lack of such an opportunity, we are forced to thank endogenous retroviruses. The researchers found that these microorganisms are one of the oldest that appeared in our ancestors (we are talking about 60 million years ago), provoking a gene mutation. Against the background of it, mammals formed a placenta, other reproductive organs and the possibility of live birth. Also, the extension of intrauterine development has led to an increase in brain size and, as a consequence, the evolution of mental abilities.
5. Viruses on guard of embryos
Studying the cells of a three-day embryo, doctors revealed a conglomerate of viral proteins in the composition. Some of them even began the process of combining into the likeness of ready-made viral cells, affecting the genetic material of the embryo. For example, the viral protein Rec has stimulated an increase in the concentration of the IFITM1 protein, which blocks the penetration of viral infection into cells. It turns out that some viruses can protect the cells of the embryo from others - harmful "colleagues." Rec also controlled the level of ribosomes in some cellular RNAs (the process is still being investigated by scientists).
4. Gammagerpes viruses cannot be poisoned
Remember the whole “bouquet” of unpleasant and painful symptoms associated with food poisoning and intoxication. A similar condition is often caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. As the saying goes, “a wedge is kicked out with a wedge,” so another pathogen, gamma herpes pesvirus, can be used to counter these bacteria. If the disease with its participation proceeds in a latent form, then it gradually increases the immunity and gastrointestinal tract resistance to bacteria. Doctors are exploring how this process can be used to treat diarrhea and other symptoms of poisoning. Do not worry, you won’t have to cause herpes to prevent diarrhea.
3. Good and bad norovirus
These pathogens also cause intoxication symptoms in the body: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, general weakness. Laboratory rodents were even less fortunate - because of their low resistance to viruses, they die without exception. It was found that some strains are useful for rodents that have been grown under sterile conditions. It is known that in their body there was a deficiency of T and B cells, and this harmed the immunity and organs of the digestive tract. With the addition of norovirus, intestinal tissue grew, and the protective properties of the body improved. Scientists hope that they can use these strains for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. The virus will save from heat
We can say that the most necessary virus for a man, ironically, is one that is not in the body. Plants use it in order to increase viability in conditions of drought and hot climate. Such a virus attacks the endophyte fungus, which grows on the tropical form of millet and makes it immune to high temperatures. Scientists have already been able to plant the virus in other plants (tomatoes), having obtained a temperature resistance of about 60 ° C. However, when the virus was removed from the body, it began to lose heat resistance. This experiment, despite its usefulness, runs the risk of causing new unhealthy, genetically modified products to appear on the market. Yes, and a person should not be artificially vaccinated - let's better carry water bottles and develop lightweight fabrics for summer weather.
1. Adenoviruses Can Help Treat Cancer
These pathogens are quite common on the globe, and also have increased infectiousness (fortunately, with moderate harm to the body). Most often, they cause gastroenteritis, colds and pneumonia in humans. At the same time, type 52 strain reacts with specific carbohydrates that inhabit cancer cells. Scientists are actively studying this ability of adenovirus, which makes it possible to find a new type of cancer therapy.
The indicated data once again prove that our planet is completely unexplored, and many surprises await scientists.