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Medicine Science

Covid-19 Infection Can Reactivate the Latent Retroviruses In Human DNA (phys.org) 194

He Who Has No Name writes: In a synopsis posted Monday, John Hewitt at Phys.org points out some fairly unsettling implications of an ugly trick by Covid-19 (more formally, SARS-CoV-2) -- it wakes up latent viruses that we are born with in our DNA. A quick version for those not familiar with virology: retroviruses are a subclass of viruses that leave copies of their RNA in the host cell's DNA as part of their replication process, the reverse of the way most viruses replicate (that's where the 'retro' part comes from). Latent, inactive sequences of retroviral DNA make up more than 1% of the human genome. We're literally born with them in our genes. Now back to Covid's latest trick.

From the article: "Transposable elements, or jumping genes, are now known to be responsible for many human diseases. Keeping them repressed by methylation, RNA binding, or the attentions of the innate immune system is a full-time jump for cells. Last week, we reviewed the activation of one particular kind of transposable element, the Line-1 retrotransposons, in an ever-expanding host of neurodegenerative conditions. Retrotransposons derive from human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs) but typically have lost their signature long terminal repeat sequences at the beginning and ends of their genes. On Tuesday, a real zinger was dropped onto the medRxiv preprint server that could potentially explain many of the commonly observed pathogenic features of SARS-CoV-2. The authors provide solid evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activates the envelope (ENV) protein encoded by HERV-W in blood cells, which is in turn directly responsible for many pathological features of the disease."

While this is all analysis of preprint research, the evidence and implied results are very much in line with other long-term effects from Covid infection, especially neurocognitive symptoms, known to long haul Covid patients as "brain fog." Given that other research is showing long haul Covid cognitive symptoms are more accurately detected by the cognitive function test specifically used for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) compared to standard function tests, the implication of retroviral elements to the puzzle of PACS (Post-Acute Covid Symptoms, the official term now in use for long haul Covid) is disturbing. The good news: only about 20-30% of people infected with Covid appear to be susceptible. This is, however, conspicuously in line with other data analysis showing that about 1 in 4 Covid victims has PACS / long-haul symptoms after the acute infection stage...

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Covid-19 Infection Can Reactivate the Latent Retroviruses In Human DNA

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  • HERV (Score:5, Informative)

    by Arzaboa ( 2804779 ) on Thursday January 27, 2022 @02:23AM (#62210857)

    If you just read that and wanted to know what HERV and the Env proteins are, check this out.
    https://www.frontiersin.org/ar... [frontiersin.org]

    When you get to the part about Mendelian Inheritance, this will help.
    https://www.genome.gov/genetic... [genome.gov]

    Enjoy.
    --
    I’m a Mandalorian. Weapons are part of my religion. — The Mandalorian

  • Meanwhile... (Score:5, Informative)

    by zeeky boogy doog ( 8381659 ) on Thursday January 27, 2022 @02:44AM (#62210885)
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/r... [sciencedaily.com] 177/177 infected healthcare workers - every single one - had a wide range of autoantibodies in their system after recovering from the acute infection, regardless of severity of symptoms.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p... [nih.gov] covid increases the odds of erectile dysfunction by 5-6x, consistent with extensive microvascular damage.
    https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/... [osu.edu] 14% of hospitalized patients promptly developed diabetes due to damage to pancreatic beta cells
    https://jamanetwork.com/journa... [jamanetwork.com] A study of 100 patients revealed ongoing myocarditis in 60% of them an average of more than 2 months after diagnosis, independent of any comorbidities or duration or severity of acute covid illness.

    If we discover that this monstrosity steals less than 15 years off of the average victim's lifespan I will be surprised.

    But remember, oMiCrOn iS MiLd, LeT 'Er RiP!
    • by gweihir ( 88907 )

      If we discover that this monstrosity steals less than 15 years off of the average victim's lifespan I will be surprised.

      But remember, oMiCrOn iS MiLd, LeT 'Er RiP!

      Indeed. You really do not want to get this crap if there is any way to avoid it. And if not, you want to get it as late as possible and while being fully vaccinated.

    • by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

      covid increases the odds of erectile dysfunction by 5-6x, consistent with extensive microvascular damage.

      Given the popularity of a little blue pill (that's fallen out of patent protection a number of years ago) by one of the vaccine makers... you would think it would make an effective marketing strategy for vaccinations.

      I mean, given the majority of the anti-vaxx are males, the fast-spreading nature of omicron, the fact you can get reinfected again with COVID, it seems like a good way to make sure Mr. Happy

      • by storkus ( 179708 )

        Damn, beat me to it; I'll see that and raise you the ultimate ED shot: it costs a grand or 2, peddled by Pharma Bro (he can still do sales, right?), and is really the same shot available everywhere else but for ED!

    • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p... [nih.gov] covid increases the odds of erectile dysfunction by 5-6x, consistent with extensive microvascular damage./quote?

      Why aren't we trumpeting this particular side effect as a way of getting more people to vaccinate? If there is still anyone like Stan Freberg in the advertising business, he could build a really good Super Bowl PSA around this one.

  • Not unexpected. (Score:5, Insightful)

    by jd ( 1658 ) <imipakNO@SPAMyahoo.com> on Thursday January 27, 2022 @04:10AM (#62210953) Homepage Journal

    Any virus linked to cancer will rewaken the fossil viruses, indeed some of those fossil viruses are the actual mechanism by which many such virus infections cause cancer, so expect covid to greatly elevate cancer risks in the long term. (Fossil viruses getting activated is also part of the mechanism behind multiple sclerosis.)

    This is news I've been expecting from day one. Virtually every article I've posted on, here or on The Guardian website, I've asked whether there were any reports of fossil viruses being activated, partly because it seemed a likely component of Long Covid but mostly because this is the decider on whether the Swedish route was the smart one.

    We won't know the answer for a while. It basically means that the short-term deaths aren't the whole story. Anyone who dies from a cancer or autoimmune disorder triggered by Covid activating a fossil virus should be added to the toll and we won't know those numbers for another 20 years. Nor will we know if "mild" or "symptomless" Covid was any safer than the severe form until then. We can probably check those who have been vaccinated to make sure the vaccine isn't doing this as well, but it's much less likely.

    • Re: (Score:2, Interesting)

      by gweihir ( 88907 )

      Nor will we know if "mild" or "symptomless" Covid was any safer than the severe form until then. We can probably check those who have been vaccinated to make sure the vaccine isn't doing this as well, but it's much less likely.

      The vaccines are not doing this. It would have showed up in the trials. No Long Covid from vaccination. As to mild case/vaccinated, there is a high probability it reduces this effect significantly, both by simple plausibility (less effect overall over a shorter time) and observation of reduced Long Covid effects, with fully vaccinated doing a lot better.

      The non-vaccinated may lose a lot of life-expectancy from this effect though.

      • The vaccines are probably doing this too. It's just way less likely and the sample size in the trials are too small to see much of it. Not to mention that the side effects would not readily be linked to the shot. People have more going on in their lives than being part of a vaccine trial. Other illnesses and pre-existing conditions.

        • by sjames ( 1099 )

          Are you kidding? With the level of anti-vax paranoia, we're just short of people blaming a stubbed toe or athlete's foot on the shot. If there was any significant (or insignificant) long covid like symptom in anyone who got the vaccine, Fox News would have it on 24 hour blast.

        • And how would a vaccine based either
          a) on a vector virus (Ardeno)
          b) a mRNA spike proteing
          could cause that?

          There is obviously a remote chance that Sinovac or Sputnik, which both are based on the original virus could have a similar effect. But how plausible/likely is that?

    • (Fossil viruses getting activated is also part of the mechanism behind multiple sclerosis.)

      Actually, the most recent theory is a latent, but present, virus - Epstein-Barr. Nearly the same as a fossil virus because about 95% of people have it in their body. Though I couldn't say whether it's causing the effects itself or the reactivation of retroviruses. And neither can the research - yet.

  • This is an excellent counter to the people who wanted to get the Omicron variant and just get over it. I wonder how this relates to the other post today about antibody signatures? In another world, maybe there would be a fast, easy way to get tested so you could know your risk without having blood drawn. Until that time, I'll continue to be as safe as possible even though I'm boosted.

    • by kackle ( 910159 )
      A vaccinated relative got COVID twice last year. I don't think people understand, like colds, there is no "getting it over with".
  • Good news (Score:4, Insightful)

    by real_nickname ( 6922224 ) on Thursday January 27, 2022 @07:02AM (#62211135)

    good news: only about 20-30% of people infected with Covid appear to be susceptible

    Whatever all these things mean, 20% is a LOT.

  • by ffkom ( 3519199 ) on Thursday January 27, 2022 @07:03AM (#62211139)
    Caffeine and Aspirin reactivate those: https://link.springer.com/arti... [springer.com]
    So does Influenza: https://journals.asm.org/doi/f... [asm.org]
    ... and several other mundane events.

    But it appears one can recycle almost any finding from the past into some new Covid-panic click-bait message.
    • I had the same thought. We see this effect with lots of COVID related stuff. COVID causes B, therefore panic. What is sometimes left out or not asked is whether or not B is seen with other, or perhaps all, severe illnesses.
      • I think the "therefore panic" part is in your mind. In TFA, they sell the point in saying these findings "could potentially explain many of the commonly observed pathogenic features of SARS-CoV-2". That's not panicky at all. The rest is their jargon describing biological phenomenon that we don't have to understand.

        The panic argument is a tautology. When news are bad, critics say "they make us panic", and when there are good news, critics say "you see, they were making us panic over nothing". But only you we

        • That's a fair point. And I'll grant there is some accuracy to it. Probably 'panic' isn't the best word for me to use here. But I don't entirely agree with the higher level point. I think a lot of it comes from the headlines, but not all. When they leave out some pretty important data like 'this is just like seen in other illnesses', it shows a certain degree of bias towards an implied 'this is new/unprecedented'. It's not a conspiracy, just the normal tendency of reporters that need to chase eyeballs to mak
    • by Anubis IV ( 1279820 ) on Thursday January 27, 2022 @08:22AM (#62211285)

      Caffeine and Aspirin reactivate those:
      https://link.springer.com/arti... [springer.com]

      But it appears one can recycle almost any finding from the past into some new Covid-panic click-bait message.

      Without being able to read your linked article because it’s behind a paywall, I’d be curious about the degree to which your statement is true.

      We can say truthfully that “car accidents can result in death”, but that statement alone isn’t sufficient for us to make a risk assessment regarding whether or not we should be getting in the car. Likewise, the fact that caffeine and aspirin can do the same as COVID in this regard may well be true, but if they do so only under extreme conditions (e.g. VERY high dosages) or only once in a billion times, then that info isn’t particularly actionable or interesting to most of us. In contrast, the reporting here indicates one in four COVID infections is affected in this way, which is a high enough percent to make it of interest to us.

      Again, I’m not disputing anything you said, but as someone with no background knowledge in this sphere I wish you’d provided more info, given the presence of the paywall.

  • People thought Barbara McClintock's jumping genes were crazy and now she has a Nobel Prize
  • Fortunately, there's a simple solution for this all. Step 1 - put all people into hermetically sealed pods, embedding within each person a physical device that interfaces with the person's nervous system and sensory organs. Step 2 - create a massive simulation to convince people that they're living in the real world, feeding stimuli to each person via the physical device. Step 3 - devise a system for collecting sperm from males, and impregnating females, without their knowledge. Step 4 - develop algorit

  • by lamer01 ( 1097759 ) on Thursday January 27, 2022 @11:48AM (#62212017)
    For the knowledgeable people here does that mean that the vaccines could also do it? Please clarify why yes or no. Thx
  • Classic dropper behaviour. Get into the system, gain persistence and start dropping more shit onto the box.

  • Really fascinating behavioral analysis, and certainly unsettling. This might have something to do with the wild growth of soft tissue cancers we've seen over the past couple years, being as it's been hypothesized that cancer has a viral component now, for years.

    This is also precisely why so many people have been resistant to vaccination. Do you think those spike proteins are somehow less problematic when they're being produced by your own cells?

  • Out of curiosity, is it theoretically possible to use CRISPR to eliminate ancient retrovirus DNA from the human genome?

When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt. -- Henry J. Kaiser

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