Dangerous partnerships

Since the pandemic suddenly turned everyone's life upside down, we have all become decidedly more sensitive to virus-related topics, especially when we talk about Sars-Cov-2 variants linked to Covid-19.

In reality, the world of viruses has always existed and it is a very interesting field of study for various reasons: – First of all because there is still no agreement whether or not to consider them real living beings, as they do not have the possibility to function and replicate except within a cell.
– Secondly, because there are so many, just think that it is estimated that there are around 1031 viral particles in the oceans (1 followed by 31 zeros!!!).
– Thirdly, because viruses are able to act on the genes of the organisms they infect, thus playing an important role in the evolution of all living beings.

Not least is the world of bacteria, which populate our body considerably. In the past it was even believed that the number of bacteria present in our body was much greater than the number of cells that compose it.
More recently, this estimate has been corrected, leaving in any case the fact that the bacterial cells we live with without even realizing it are a significant proportion. Some bacteria are important for our well-being, for example forming the so-called intestinal flora, others are less pleasant, not so much because they make us run to the bathroom, but for long-term effects on our body.

Among the most important aspects is the possible correlation between some infections and the greater probability of developing some tumors.
This correlation has been known for over 50 years, but the mechanisms underlying this susceptibility have only begun to be understood in recent years.
More than a dozen viruses or bacteria have been identified in these processes; the main ones are Helicobacter pylori, Papilloma virus and hepatitis B and C viruses, which can be responsible for the onset of stomach, neck and liver cancer, respectively.
The bacterium Morganella morganii has also recently been identified as a possible factor involved in the onset of colorectal cancer.
The identification of this correlation has allowed to accelerate the development of vaccines to protect against these infections. Furthermore, in the meantime it has been understood how these pathogens act: studies have shown that viruses can directly modify the DNA of the cell itself and both viruses and bacteria can create an inflammatory environment that facilitates the production of factors facilitating the transformation of the cells.
In simpler words, it is as if a car were moving on a road with the wrong traffic signs and in a heavy traffic situation…

The risk of an accident occurring is certainly greater than in a normal situation. Research on these issues will therefore make it possible to prevent the onset of tumors or to act quickly and targeted in order to restore "regular and controlled traffic" as much as possible.

Valentina Turinetto
NP December 2022