New study reveals increased vulnerability to Mpox virus with alcohol consumption
Charles Tee Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 03, 2024 3 months, 2 weeks, 5 days, 19 hours, 20 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers from Wuhan, China, Explore the Impact of Alcohol on Mpox Virus Susceptibility Using a Rodent Model
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, and the National Key Laboratory for Novel Vaccines Research and Development of Emerging Infectious Diseases have uncovered alarming findings about the effects of alcohol on susceptibility to the Mpox virus (MPXV). The study, which established a non-lethal rodent model using BALB/c mice, reveals that alcohol consumption significantly increases the viral load of the Mpox virus in certain tissues, thereby exacerbating the severity of the infection. This
Medical News report delves into the key findings and implications of this important research.
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New study reveals increased vulnerability to Mpox virus with alcohol consumption
Understanding the Mpox Virus and Its Global Spread
Mpox virus, an orthopoxvirus related to smallpox, causes mpox (commonly known as monkeypox), a disease that, although less severe than smallpox, poses significant health risks. Since its first identification in monkeys in 1958 and subsequent human cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, the virus has remained endemic in parts of Africa. However, recent outbreaks in countries outside Africa have heightened global concerns. Notably, since May 2022, the virus has spread to 113 countries, resulting in over 89,000 confirmed cases and 152 deaths worldwide.
Establishing a Rodent Model to Study Mpox Virus Infection
The study conducted by researchers from Wuhan aimed to explore the pathogenesis of the Mpox virus using BALB/c mice, a widely used laboratory mouse strain. This study is particularly noteworthy for establishing a non-lethal rodent model, which allows researchers to investigate the effects of different viral doses and the impact of external factors, such as alcohol consumption, on viral infection.
The researchers compared various doses of MPXV administered via intraperitoneal injection and observed the resulting viral loads in different tissues, including the lungs, spleen, and reproductive organs. Additionally, they introduced alcohol into the diet of the mice to evaluate its impact on MPXV infection.
Key Findings: Alcohol Increases Susceptibility to Mpox Virus
One of the study's most striking findings is the significant increase in viral load observed in mice that consumed alcohol. The results revealed that when alcohol was added to the drinking water of the mice, there was a notable increase in the Mpox virus nucleic acid levels in the ovarian, testicular, and lung tissues. This suggests that alcohol consumption leads to greater susceptibility to the virus, particularly in the reproductive system.
The study showed that even at a viral dose of 105 plaque-forming units (PFU), the virus could be detected in the reproductive organs of the mice, although it was quickly cleared. However, when the dose was increased to 106 PFU, the virus persisted longer in the tissues,
indicating that higher viral loads were associated with more severe tissue damage and higher susceptibility.
The Role of Cytokines and Immune Response
Cytokines, which are key drivers of the inflammatory response, were also studied to understand the immune response to MPXV infection in mice. The researchers found that the expression levels of key cytokines - interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) - were elevated in the spleen tissues of mice that consumed alcohol. These cytokines play crucial roles in coordinating the immune response, and their increased levels indicate a more severe inflammatory reaction in alcohol-consuming mice.
The findings suggest that alcohol consumption not only increases viral load but also intensifies the inflammatory response, potentially leading to more severe disease outcomes. This highlights the complex interaction between alcohol and the immune system, where excessive alcohol intake can exacerbate viral infections and their associated symptoms.
Histopathological Analysis: Alcohol's Impact on Tissue Damage
The study also conducted histopathological analyses to assess the extent of tissue damage caused by MPXV infection in alcohol-consuming mice. The liver and reproductive organs were of particular interest. The researchers observed that the liver tissues of mice in the alcohol diet group exhibited signs of hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration, akin to the pathology seen in alcohol-associated hepatitis in humans.
In the reproductive organs, male mice in the alcohol diet group showed altered testicular morphology, with reduced sperm counts and changes in the structure of spermatogenic tubules. Similarly, female mice exhibited severely dilated cystic follicles in the ovaries, with fewer layers of vesicle cells. These findings underscore the detrimental effects of alcohol on reproductive health, particularly in the context of MPXV infection.
Conclusion: Implications for Public Health and Future Research
This study provides valuable insights into the adverse effects of alcohol on susceptibility to the Mpox virus, particularly in terms of increased viral load, heightened inflammatory response, and exacerbated tissue damage. The findings have significant implications for public health, especially considering the widespread consumption of alcohol globally.
The research highlights the need for further studies to explore the mechanisms underlying alcohol's impact on viral infections and to develop strategies to mitigate these effects. As MPXV continues to spread globally, understanding the role of lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption in disease severity becomes increasingly important.
The study findings were published in on a preprint server and is currently being peer reviewed.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4934253
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