2024-04-28 08:13:58
A deadly parasite roams warm waters and swimming pools. Viennese researchers have now discovered that a new giant virus can destroy it.
Researchers from Vienna discovered a giant virus in a sewage treatment plant. Now studies show: It is not harmful to humans – but it can save lives. Because it attacks and destroys a parasite “Naegleria fowleri”, which is fatal to humans and is particularly common in warm waters.
A giant virus is a virus with unusually large infectious particles and a complex genetic structure. It uses this structure to introduce its genetic information into the enemy cell. There it multiplies quickly and can form hundreds of new virus particles in a short time – and kill the cell.
Giant virus inspires researchers
In the case of the sewage treatment plant near Vienna, the giant virus encountered the dangerous parasite that was living in the water there. The parasite “accidentally” ingested the giant virus as food, allowing the virus to destroy the parasite. Scientists named the giant virus “Naegleriavirus.”
Researcher Matthias Horn told the Austrian news agency APA that the group of giant viruses discovered were particularly interesting. They have many genes that are otherwise only known from cellular organisms such as animals, plants, fungi or bacteria. Before their discovery, they would never have been associated with viruses.
Parasite can cause meningitis
The parasite “Naegleria fowleri” reproduces worldwide in warm fresh water above 30 degrees Celsius and can enter the organism through the nose. This rarely happens, according to the researchers. But if so, it could trigger severe brain and meningitis. And in most cases it is fatal.
The discovery of the giant virus is also important for the researchers: They hope to be able to use the virus specifically against the water parasite. The discovery opens up the possibility of preventively treating endangered bodies of water, such as the water in swimming pools, says scientist Matthias Horn.
Overall, the study, which appeared last week in the journal “Nature Communications”, shows that giant viruses play a previously underestimated role in nature and that much remains to be researched when it comes to their interaction with other microorganisms.