It is well known that ours contains many intestinal bacteria that are beneficial to health..

Now, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found that a healthy person's body is home to an average of five viruses that can cause disease or play some other role in the body..

“Almost everyone knows that there is a normal bacterial flora in the body.. Many people ask if there is a viral microflora, but we do not know a clear answer to this question.. Now we have proven that the viral flora exists, it is rich and complex,” explains study co-author Dr. Gregory Storch, virologist, head of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington..

The findings of scientists who take part in the Human Microbiome Project were published recently in the journal BMC Biology..

The research team was led by Dr. Kristine Wylie, Lecturer in Pediatrics at the University of. Scientists collected 706 body fluid samples from 102 healthy adults aged 18-40. Samples were collected from the mucous membrane of the nose, mouth, vagina, and skin..

All participants underwent a thorough examination, they showed no signs of viral infections.. Even those who had human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the last 2 years, as well as those who had active manifestations of genital herpes in the last 2 months, were excluded from the study.. Each sample was then analyzed by scientists using DNA sequencing technology, which allows the unmistakable identification of many types of viruses..

Viruses from 7 families found in healthy people, including HPV and herpes.

92% of participants had at least one virus, many healthy volunteers had 10-15 viruses. On average, each participant's body served as a home for 5 viruses.. The researchers say they were very surprised by the results: “We only collected samples from five places in the human body, and did not expect to see such a variety of viruses.”.

In total, 7 families of viruses were identified in the samples. This included herpesviruses 6 and 7, which were detected in the oral mucosa in 98% of cases when such samples were taken.. Papillomavirus strains were detected in 75% of skin samples and 50% of nasal samples, and new strains of the virus were found. In 38% of women, HPV strains were found in the vagina, which are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer - these are HPV 16 and HPV 18. Most samples contained adenoviruses responsible for pneumonia and common colds..

Perhaps these viruses were dormant infections that have been in the host for quite some time (perhaps years). But Dr. Wylie says that dormant (dormant) viruses are usually found inside cells, not in body fluids..

Commenting on the results of the study, the scientists wrote: “This is the first scientific work that has used DNA sequencing to characterize the biodiversity of viruses in a large cohort of people.. The analysis showed that in healthy, asymptomatic individuals, a normal viral flora is present..

They emphasize that it is not yet clear what role this viral flora plays, whether it is harmful to health..

But there is speculation that the viral flora may, in some cases, spur the immune system to respond to some pathogens, while simultaneously increasing the body's vulnerability to other infectious agents..

“It is very important to know which viruses are present in the human body without causing disease, and which viruses are responsible for serious medical problems.. Although there is still a lot of research to be done, we now have a clearer picture of the viral communities living in our bodies,” said Dr. Storch..

medbe. en.