Khaberni - A recent scientific study revealed that some viruses, which we thought were recent, have accompanied humanity for thousands of years and have become an integral part of our evolutionary history.
An international research team has discovered genetic evidence that the human herpesviruses 6A and 6B have coexisted with humans for more than two thousand years.
The researchers analyzed about 4000 samples from ancient human remains across Europe, from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages, and found DNA of these viruses preserved in the inner ear bones and teeth.
More excitingly, the study showed that about 1% of humans carry these viruses as part of their inherited genetic material, with the viral genomes permanently integrated into human chromosomes.
These viruses, which infect 90% of children causing the fever-accompanied roseola (rose rash) illness, remain latent in the body for life after the initial infection. However, what the ancient samples revealed is that some viral strains are inherited from parents to offspring through germ cells, a rare occurrence among herpes viruses.
The results, published in the journal Science Advances, show that the viral strains present today were originally prevalent in European communities at least 1300 years ago. Researchers also discovered at archaeological sites in Belgium that both types of viruses were circulating in the same community during the Middle Ages.
This study provides the first tangible evidence that the HHV-6 virus accompanied humans since they migrated out of Africa and confirms that the relationship between humans and viruses is much deeper than we previously thought. Some viruses not only were mere transient disease agents but have become part of our genetic heritage, evolving with us over the ages and adapting to our long human history.
