An Ecological Framework of the Human Virome Provides Classification of Current Knowledge and Identifies Areas of Forthcoming Discovery

Parker, Michael T.

Protozoan parasite-associated viruses have emerged as another source of atypically pathogenic effects in humans [75] . Such interactions are reminiscent of the uses of viruses as agents for forwarding their host's survival in parasitoid wasps and plants (see An Ecological Framework of the Human Virome, above). The recognition of the Leishmania-infecting LRV1 virus by human macrophages can promote inflammation, subvert the immune response, and ultimately promote persistence of the parasite [76] . Trichomonas vaginalis harbors a Trichomonasvirus that triggers IFN responses via TLR-3, leading to inflammatory sequelae [77] . At present, there is insufficient data as to whether these are evolutionarily adapted mechanisms meant to perturb host immunity to benefit the parasite, but the extensive literature of such interaction in insects and plants makes this a tantalizing conjecture. Additional characterization should explore the nature of the interactions of protozoan viruses with humans.