Cardiff University study sheds new light on birth defects virus

CARDIFF University researchers have examined why a virus responsible for birth defects is so adept at evading the immune system.

CMV is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in children and one of the main causes of childhood disability.

It has been described as the most complex human virus and causes lifelong infection. The new findings by Cardiff University, in collaboration with other universities across the world, could help in the development of treatments for this and other currently untreatable viruses.

By studying infected cells grown in a laboratory, the team found that a large number of CMV’s genes help it hide from the immune system by allowing it to destroy many of the proteins produced by the body during virus infection.

Dr Ceri Fielding, from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine, said: “The scale of the effect of CMV’s genes on the immune system surprised us.

“The number of immune-activating proteins destroyed by these virus genes was unprecedented given any previous discoveries of virus immune evasion strategies.

“In addition to providing new information that could help develop novel treatments or a cure for this virus, the findings can also tell us more about how our immune system recognizes virus infections beyond CMV.”

Most healthy adults and children who become infected with CMV will have no signs or symptoms and no long-term effects. It can, however, pose serious risks to unborn babies if a pregnant woman catches it for the first time.