A study published this Monday, based on an extensive analysis of the genetic information of viruses, suggests that humans transmit more viruses to domestic and wild animals than vice versa.
The study, conducted by scientists from the UK’s University College London and published in the specialist journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, was based on an analysis of almost 12 million viral genomes available in public databases.
Based on these data, the study authors reconstructed the evolutionary histories and past transitions of viruses in 32 virus families and looked for parts of viral genomes that acquired mutations during these host transitions.
Scientists found a consistent pattern across most of the virus families examined: there were about twice as many host transitions from humans to animals rather than the other way around, University College London said in a statement.
The study concluded that, on average, changes in viral hosts are associated with genetic mutations of viruses, reflecting how viruses adapt to better exploit their new hosts.
The authors of the work believe that monitoring the transmission of viruses between animals and people will allow us to better understand the evolution of viruses and better prepare the world for future outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.
The University College London team notes that if a human-borne virus infects a new species of animal, the virus may continue to operate even if it is eradicated from humans, or it may evolve new adaptations before infecting humans again.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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