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.

Funko Pop Mr Dna 1170 picture

Funko Pop Mr Dna 1170

$10.00



SUFFOLK COUNTY CRIME LABORATORY GUN DNA LAB BALLISTICS POLICE PATCH NEW YORK picture

SUFFOLK COUNTY CRIME LABORATORY GUN DNA LAB BALLISTICS POLICE PATCH NEW YORK

$8.99



2010 Romain Jerome Moon Dust-DNA Watch photo

2010 Romain Jerome Moon Dust-DNA Watch photo "First Worldwide" vintage print ad

$14.99



X-MEN #18 DAVID NAKAYAMA TRADE DRESS VARIANT EXCLUSIVE STORM MARVEL 2021 NM+ DNA picture

X-MEN #18 DAVID NAKAYAMA TRADE DRESS VARIANT EXCLUSIVE STORM MARVEL 2021 NM+ DNA

$5.99



ALBERT EINSTEIN SIGNED AUTOGRAPH LETTER PSA/DNA AUTHENTIC picture

ALBERT EINSTEIN SIGNED AUTOGRAPH LETTER PSA/DNA AUTHENTIC

$8995.00



MLB Catchers - Tools Of Ignorance Multi-signed Photo - 29 Signatures PSA/DNA picture

MLB Catchers - Tools Of Ignorance Multi-signed Photo - 29 Signatures PSA/DNA

$150.00



Kesha Signed Card PSA/DNA AUTO 10 Encapsulated Autographed Slabbed picture

Kesha Signed Card PSA/DNA AUTO 10 Encapsulated Autographed Slabbed

$69.99



Funko Pop Jurassic Park Mr. DNA Figure picture

Funko Pop Jurassic Park Mr. DNA Figure

$12.58



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

Chevy Chase Authentic Card PSA/DNA Certified AUTO Caddy Shack

$120.00



Sophia Loren Signed Auto 1950 Vintage Dutch Trading Card Autograph 💎PSA DNA picture

Sophia Loren Signed Auto 1950 Vintage Dutch Trading Card Autograph 💎PSA DNA

$125.00



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes