Genotoxic consequences of viral infections

Olga Szewczyk-Roszczenko1, Piotr Roszczenko2, Yegor Vassetzky3

  • 1Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.

Npj Viruses
|April 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Viral infections can cause genotoxic stress, leading to harmful pathological consequences in humans. This review explores the mechanisms and effects of this viral-induced DNA damage.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Human Pathology

Background:

  • Viral diseases pose ongoing global health risks due to pathogen evolution.
  • Infections can result in multi-organ complications, influenced by viral factors and host immunity.
  • Genotoxic stress is an emerging concern in viral pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which viral infections induce genotoxic stress.
  • To examine the pathological consequences of viral genotoxicity in human health.
  • To consolidate current understanding of this viral-host interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of viral pathogenesis and genotoxicity studies.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking viral replication to DNA damage.
  • Synthesis of clinical and experimental data on viral disease outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Viruses can induce genotoxic stress through various mechanisms, including direct DNA interaction and indirect oxidative stress.
  • Genotoxic stress contributes to viral pathogenesis, potentially leading to mutations and cellular dysfunction.
  • The impact of viral genotoxicity varies based on the specific virus and host factors.

Conclusions:

  • Viral-induced genotoxic stress is a significant factor in human disease pathology.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted antiviral therapies.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term health implications.

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