A research project focusing on fruit flies has revealed that certain species are particularly vulnerable to various viruses.
Research on fruit flies has indicated that some species are particularly vulnerable to a broad spectrum of viruses.
Conducted by the University of Exeter, the research involved exposing 35 different fruit fly species to 11 diverse types of viruses.
As anticipated, the fruit fly species that showed less impact from one virus generally also demonstrated good responses to closely related viruses.
However, the results additionally indicate that there exists a “positive correlation in susceptibility” to viruses overall. This means that species resistant to one virus tend to be resistant to others as well, even those that are quite different.
Dr. Ryan Imrie, currently associated with the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, explained, “Large-scale studies like this help us comprehend how pathogens can adapt to new host species, with conclusions that are widely relevant to other animals, including humans.”
“These fruit flies share a common ancestor dating back 50 million years, providing a diversity level comparable to that of mammals. We are investigating how host shifts generally occur over evolutionary distances,” he noted.
“Many researchers are attempting to anticipate the next pandemic.”
He emphasized, “Testing every virus is unfeasible, so we need to focus on understanding the underlying principles of viral behavior in new hosts.”
Professor Ben Longdon from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter’s Penryn Campus added, “Details about new viruses can be partially deduced from their similarities to existing viruses.”
“Nonetheless, even a few mutations can alter that dynamic, leading new viruses to exhibit characteristics quite distinct from those of their close relatives.”
“Research of this nature can help uncover the essential mechanisms that drive these changes.”
The research assessed susceptibility through measuring “viral load,” which reflects how much a virus has multiplied and remained active two days post-infection.
Dr. Longdon elaborated on why certain fly species might struggle with viral resistance: “Developing immunity comes at a high cost, so the species that are highly susceptible might come from environments with fewer viruses or could be those that viruses are particularly adept at exploiting.”
“We found no instances where resistance to one virus was linked to lower resistance to another, implying that as fruit fly immune systems adapt to fight infections, there haven’t been ‘trade-offs’ where enhanced resistance to one type diminishes another type.”
This study received funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society.
