Viteria: Bacterial Sequences in Animal and Human Viruses

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Bacteria and Virus together???

 

Summary

DNA sequencing studies have identified bacterial sequences within portions of an atypically structured cytopathic virus isolated from a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome. The virus has retained several features indicating an original derivation from an African green monkey simian cytomegalovirus (SCMV). While it lacks critical antigens required to evoke an effective anti-viral cellular immune defense, it has gained additional genes through genetic recombination with normal cellular genes, and as reviewed in this article, with numerous genes of bacterial origins. The term viteria has been coined to describe a virus infectious for eukaryotic cells that has acquired bacterial genes. The diagnostic, therapeutic and epidemiological implications of viteria as pathogenic agents are discussed. The need for urgent studies on these agents is underscored by their capacity to acquire cellular genes with potential oncogenic activity. http://www.ccid.org/articles/viteria.htm