The Pathology of Viral Infections
1College of Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL, USA. tveenstra@lecom.edu.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Humans are a complex ecosystem, not just human cells. Our bodies host a vast microbiome of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which constitute a significant portion of our biological makeup.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Biology
- Virology
Background:
- The traditional view of human composition focuses solely on human cells and molecules.
- Recent scientific understanding reveals a complex ecosystem within the human body.
- This ecosystem includes bacteria, fungi, and viruses cohabitating with human cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant contribution of microorganisms to human biological composition.
- To emphasize the pervasive presence and importance of viruses within the human organism.
- To broaden the understanding of what constitutes the human body.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and estimates.
- Analysis of microbial diversity in human organisms.
- Assessment of the relative biological contribution of microorganisms.
Main Results:
- The human body is a collective of human, bacterial, fungal cells, and viruses.
- Microorganisms, collectively termed the microbiome, constitute up to half of human biological material.
- Viruses are ubiquitous and integral components of the human biological landscape.
Conclusions:
- The human organism is a complex symbiotic entity, not solely composed of human cells.
- The microbiome plays a substantial role in human biology and composition.
- Understanding the human microbiome is crucial for a comprehensive view of human life.
Keywords:
Gene ontologygene ontologyHepatitis AHost proteinsHuman viromeviromeProteome of infected cellsProximity labelingSARS-CoV-2SARS-CoV-2 receptoriTRAQiTRAQPathologyMore Related Videos
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