(Newswire.net — June 17, 2015) –Detection of viruses provides vital information to physicians and a hot topic for researchers. There is more and more evidence that the sum of viruses and the types of viruses can lead to suppression of the immune system, cancer, and other medical problems. With early diagnosis it is possible to start early treatment. We have been working on immune modulators and other means to help support the body’s defense system. Simple tests for viruses can help find those at the greatest risk. Viruses can stay in a dormant or active state in the body for a lifetime.
The VirScan blood test makes it possible to detect over 1,000 different strains of viruses in the virome. It was developed by scientists from Howard Hughes Medical Institute. It can find a wide array of the many viruses that can inhabit inside of a person. This can provide an ideal alternative for diagnostic tests that only targets one specific virus at a time. This research and report of its findings have been published in the June 5 issue of the Journal Science.
There is a great difference between viruses and bacteria. Streptococcus, for example, can cause a sore throat. It is a bacteria and can be treated. A strep throat infection usually goes away in 7 to 10 days. It can even go away without antibiotics. Viruses, like Ebstein Barr and herpes can stay inside the body permanently. Herpes can be activated under stressful times or if there is immune suppression. We are learning that if the number of viruses start to accumulate, then this can have an added adverse affect on the immune system. Viruses like CMV, HIV, Hepatitis C have all been linked to cancer. I believe we are going to find out how important is it to stay ahead of all these viruses, and some of my research peers agree with me.
Scientists from Hughes Medical Institute developed a screening panel of tests to basically look and see what viruses patients have now or have had in the past. By diagnosing whether an individual was infected with a dangerous virus in the past, doctors can begin treatments before more damage, like cancer, is done.
Blood samples for the research were collected from over 500 donors from the following 4 countries: United States, Peru, South Africa, and Thailand. Researchers discovered that people in each country had been infected with a unique array of about 10 viruses.
The new comprehensive test is quite inexpensive and may be performed for as low as $25. People had an average of antibodies against 10 different species of virus. Some were infected with many different viruses. There were 5 people who had antibodies against 62 species, and 2 had been infected with 84 different species.
Viruses can cause diseases like the human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, colon cancer, and cancers of the genitals. The Epstein-Barr virus is linked to lymphoma and is suspected of causing some cases of stomach cancer. It’s also been linked with a neurological disorder called Multiple Sclerosis. The Epstein Barr virus was found in 88 % of the volunteers that were tested in this study. A virus called Enterovirus D-68 is a relative of polio and is a concern when it made an unusual resurgence last year and appeared to cause polio like symptoms in some children.
Having a test that can look for all sorts of viral infections at once can help researchers tighten up these links, and also help them find possible other links between viruses and long term health. We have to guess to see what virus might be present in the body or to find those who have immunity or antibodies to a virus.
This evidence provides more information on how important it is to maintain a healthy immune system. When I give lectures at the University of Pacific or to other schools or international conferences, I remind people that getting enough rest, good nutrition, and avoiding activities that harm the immune system are important to do every day. What we do today and affect us for the rest of our life. That is also why we are researching better ways to support the immune system.
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Buckman is the Chief Medical Officer of Viratech Corp, a company seeking to find new solutions for the rapid and early detection of diseases, while also using the power of social networking technologies for communication and research.