Herpesvirus HCM virus infections often go unnoticed

Herpesviruses: Infection with HCM virus often goes unnoticed

09/22/2014

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) belongs to the group of herpesviruses. In many people, an infection goes unnoticed. However, as researchers now report, the viruses can cause long-term health damage and promote the emergence of arteriosclerosis or cardiovascular diseases.

Infection often goes unnoticed
In most people, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) does not cause any symptoms, so infection often goes unnoticed. However, the causative agent from the group of herpes viruses in the long term may favor the emergence of atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis) or cardiovascular disease. Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence Cells in Motion (CiM) at the University of Münster, together with colleagues from Ulm and Maastricht, have found this out and report on it in the journal „Cardiovascular Research“.

Communication of the cells is interrupted
„The entire human cardiovascular system is lined with so-called endothelial cells“, said Professor Johannes Waltenberger, cardiologist at the University Hospital Münster and CiM researchers a report from „n-tv“ according to. „This cell layer has many important functions, including the exchange of substances between blood and tissue, blood pressure regulation and the immune system“, the expert explained. „We have found that HCMV blocks an important signaling pathway.“ Therefore, the so-called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which receives the vitality and regenerative capacity of the endothelium, functionally overruled. As a result, the endothelium can no longer sufficiently regenerate, the communication of the cells with each other is interrupted.

Infection can cause long-term chronic diseases
This in turn leads to the calcification of the arteries, atherosclerosis, which can often be the cause of a stroke or heart attack. According to their statements, the scientists are able to prove with the results that the seemingly harmless HCM virus causes long-term cell damage and thus causes chronic diseases. In further investigations, it had to be clarified how cytomegalovirus should be handled in the future so that the damaging effects of HCM viruses can be contained or excluded.

Immunocompromised persons and pregnant women should be careful
Although cytomegalovirus-induced cytomegalovirus causes no or only mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, or body aches in most people, it can be particularly threatening to immunocompromised patients. Estimates suggest that up to 80 percent of adults are infected with the virus, so the risk of infection is unlikely to be eradicated. Unfortunately, this is also true for pregnant women, in which the unborn child can become infected via the placenta or, later on, the baby through the breast milk. To protect yourself from infection, just be cautious about any contact with body fluids and then wash your hands thoroughly. (Ad)