Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses were the primary culprits with only 8 percent of positive samples...
Digital Desk: Much of our understanding of viral respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and influenza is based on investigations of symptomatic patients. A new longitudinal study of symptomatic, asymptomatic, and mild illnesses conducted by Columbia University researchers gives information on how our bodies respond to these infections at the molecular level. The findings offer valuable insights into how the human body responds at a molecular level to different respiratory viruses.
Over 19 months, 214 volunteers participated in the Virome of Manhattan study, providing nasal swab samples analyzed through RNA-seq and qPCR.
Notably, rhinoviruses and coronaviruses were the primary culprits, with only 8 percent of positive samples indicating multiple viral coinfections. The study revealed that influenza triggers more significant changes in gene expression compared to other viruses, hinting at potential links between repeated pathogen exposure and host responses.
The research emphasizes the complex interplay between common respiratory viruses, their interaction with the human body, and concurrent respiratory bacteria. The results, available through an interactive web tool, facilitate scientists in generating and testing new hypotheses.
The study, published in PLOS Biology, underscores the need for a deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions in respiratory infections, especially in the context of recurring influenza and coronavirus outbreaks.
Moreover, a prior study from the same cohort found that reinfections with endemic coronaviruses are not uncommon within a year of prior infection.
Surprisingly, reinfection did not correlate with milder symptoms, suggesting that genetic factors play a more significant role in determining infection severity. These findings underscore the complexity of respiratory infections and highlight the importance of continued research to inform our understanding of these viruses and improve preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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