RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Why acute infections by human papillomaviruses matter
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 144576
DO 10.1101/144576
A1 Samuel Alizon
A1 Carmen Lía Murall
A1 Ignacio G. Bravo
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/07/10/144576.abstract
AB Most infections by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are non-persistent. Yet, for HPVs, as for many other oncoviruses, there is a striking gap between our detailed understanding of chronic infections and our limited data on the early stages of infection. Here we argue that studying the biology of acute infections by HPVs is necessary and timely. Disentangling early interactions will help explain why certain infections become chronic or latent. A better description of immune effectors and pro-inflammatory pathways during the initial stages of infections has the potential to lead to novel treatments. Furthermore, cervical cancer screening and vaccines impose novel iatrogenic pressures on HPVs, implying that anticipating any evolutionary responses remain essential. Finally, hints at the associations between their acute infections and fertility deserve further investigation given their prevalence worldwide. Overall, understanding asymptomatic and benign infections may be instrumental in reducing HPV virulence.