Herpes Virus Transferred To Infants Via Parental DNA

Parents expect to pass on their eye or hair color to their children through their genes but new research from the University of Rochester Medical Center shows that some parents pass on the human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) to their children because it is integrated into their chromosomes.

Reporting their findings in the journalPediatrics, the scientists behind the discovery say that this is the first time a virus has been shown to become part of the human DNA and then get passed to subsequent generations. This unique mode of congenital infection may be occurring in as many as 1 of every 116 newborns and the long-term consequences for a child’s development and immune system are unknown.

“At this point, we know very little about the implications of this type of infection, but the section of the chromosome into which the virus appears to integrate is important to the maintenance of normal immune function,” said study author Caroline Breese Hall. “With further study, we hope to discern whether this type of infection affects children differently than children infected after birth.”

“This is the first time a herpes virus has been recognized to integrate into the human genome. To think that it’s actually a part of us – that’s really fascinating,” said co-researcher Mary Caserta. “This opens up a whole new realm of exploration.”

Of 254 children enrolled in this study, those who had integrated HHV-6 had higher levels of virus in the body than those who were infected through the placenta. HHV-6 DNA was found in the hair of one parent of all children with integrated virus with available parental samples (18 mothers and 11 fathers), which means the children acquired the integrated infections through their mother’s egg or father’s sperm at conception. The virus’s DNA was not found in hair samples of parents of children who were infected after birth.

Related:
Zeroing-In On Epigenetic Inheritance Mechanism
Doctors Outline Policy To Prevent Genetic Discrimination

Source: University of Rochester Medical Center

, ,

Comments are closed.

Donald Trump Signed Playboy March 1990 RAREST $4.95 Cover Price PSA/DNA LOA CGC picture

Donald Trump Signed Playboy March 1990 RAREST $4.95 Cover Price PSA/DNA LOA CGC

$425000.00



Funko Pop Jurassic Park Mr. DNA Figure picture

Funko Pop Jurassic Park Mr. DNA Figure

$12.71



1961 Art of Golf Swing Original PSA/DNA Type 1 Photo by Pezzullo Multi-Exposure picture

1961 Art of Golf Swing Original PSA/DNA Type 1 Photo by Pezzullo Multi-Exposure

$695.00



Phil Knight NIKE Founder PSA/DNA Autographed Signed Photo picture

Phil Knight NIKE Founder PSA/DNA Autographed Signed Photo

$75.00



2022 Historic Autographs Prime Historic DNA Andrew Jackson Authentic Hair picture

2022 Historic Autographs Prime Historic DNA Andrew Jackson Authentic Hair

$70.00



Funko Pop Mr Dna 1170 picture

Funko Pop Mr Dna 1170

$10.00



Michael J Fox 1989 Topps Back To The Future II #87 Rookie Card Autograph PSA/DNA picture

Michael J Fox 1989 Topps Back To The Future II #87 Rookie Card Autograph PSA/DNA

$1499.99



Angel Kiss III Rosa Natsukawa DNA and Kiss. Not Juicy Honey picture

Angel Kiss III Rosa Natsukawa DNA and Kiss. Not Juicy Honey

$65.00



Chevy Chase Authentic Card PSA/DNA Certified AUTO Caddy Shack picture

Chevy Chase Authentic Card PSA/DNA Certified AUTO Caddy Shack

$120.00



Robert O’Neill Signed 2001 Topps Osama Bin Laden Card PSA/DNA 10 AUTO NEVER QUIT picture

Robert O’Neill Signed 2001 Topps Osama Bin Laden Card PSA/DNA 10 AUTO NEVER QUIT

$299.11



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes