[thedoc]

In regard of STDs – sexually transmitted infections – is it possible that virus strains, or types can combine in a host, say a human, and create a more destructive dangerous or communicable super virus?
Asked by Andrew Roberts


                                        Visit the webpage for the podcast in which this question is answered.

 

[cheryl j]

The only thing most STDs have in common is they need certain conditions to get from one person to the next. They dry up and die easily, for example, and need to be transfered from one warm, wet mucous membrane to another immediately. You will not catch it shaking hands or touching a door knob. Or STDs live inside cells found in certain bodily fluids. But genetically, an organism like chlamydia is very different from the bacteria that causes gonorrhea or a virus like HPV or AIDs, and I would think it would be unlikely they could combine in anyway. That said, I have read that being infected with one STD increases the chances of getting infected or transmitting a second one if it is also present, and I think it has to do with the inflammatory conditions (more fluid, open sores) of the affected area.

[RD]

Is is possible that several virus strains/types combine ... and create a more destructive, dangerous, or more communicable "super"-virus.

Viruses (STD or otherwise) can swap DNA with each other , (and their host) …

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=21162.msg236602#msg236602

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=2696.msg21822#msg21822

[CliffordK]

Bacteria can also swap DNA via Plasmids, or even pick up environmental DNA. 

One of the concerns is that "Gut Flora" which frequently gets exposed to medications, such as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci will donate their antibiotic resistant genes to more pathogenic bacteria.

If an individual is infected with multiple strains of closely related viruses, such as HIV-1 and HIV-2, I would think that it would be possible for them to recombine.

However, the likelihood would be essentially non-existent with, say Herpes Virus, and Gonorrhea bacteria.

[thedoc]

In regard of STDs – sexually transmitted infections – is it possible that virus strains, or types can combine in a host, say a human, and create a more destructive dangerous or communicable super virus?
Asked by Andrew Roberts

                                        Visit the webpage for the podcast in which this question is answered.
[chapter podcast=3904 track=12.03.18/Naked_Scientists_Show_12.03.18_9892.mp3]  ...or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3]

[Michaella]

Couple days ago I saw a TV-program on discovery exactly about it. Viruses can change - for instance,  chlamydia testing shows that during 50 years symptoms have changed, and thus the virus is also mutated