The Human DNA Virome Varies with Human Genes, Age, Gender, Circadian Patterns, and Smoking Many viruses have adapted to persist in infected humans for life1,2. Variable host control of their ongoing abundance (viral load) can lead to clearance or disease3–5. Here we analysed the viral DNA load of 31 common viruses in human blood and saliva using whole-genome sequencing data from UK Biobank (n = 490,401), All of Us (n = 414,817) and Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK; n = 12,519). Viral DNA load varied markedly with age, time of day and season; most viruses were also present at greater abundance in men than in women. Human genetic variation at dozens of loci associated with DNA load of seven viruses: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV, 45 loci), human herpesvirus (HHV)-7 (37 loci), HHV-6B, Merkel cell polyomavirus and three anelloviruses.   Variation at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus generated the strongest associations (P = 5.8 × 10–9 to 2.5 × 10–1459), which were specific to each virus. The HLA-B*08:01 allele also exhibited a host–virus genetic interaction with EBV subtype (P = 7.4 × 10–70). Other human genetic effects implicated genes encoding proteins that process peptides for antigen presentation, such as ERAP1 (HHV-7, P = 2.7 × 10–78) and ERAP2 (EBV, P = 4.6 × 10–111). Mendelian randomization analyses supported a strong causal effect of EBV DNA load on increased risk of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (P = 1.8 × 10–3), but not multiple sclerosis (P = 0.52). This suggests that higher chronic EBV load increases lymphoma risk, whereas associations of EBV infection with autoimmune conditions reflect host immune responses to particular viral epitopes. Analyses of biobank data show that human variation such as age, sex and genetics, particularly at the major histocompatibility complex locus, is associated with viral abundance and supports a causal link between abundance of Epstein–Barr virus and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.   Published in Nature (March 25, 2026): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10288-y 

The study highlights multiple genetic and environmental associations that modulate viral load of persistent viruses associated to human disease, including autoimmune diseases and lymphomas. Variation at the MHC locus generated the strongest associations. #EBV #humanvirome

Excited to kick off the @NIH_CommonFund Human Virome Program (HVP) Annual Meeting! 🧬 Bringing together researchers to advance our understanding of the human virome and its impact on health. human-virome.org #humanvirome

You Are a Virus. (And That's a Good Thing) What if I told you your body is home to trillions of uninvited guests... and you'd die without them? Forget what you think you know about viruses. We're not talking about the flu; we're talking about the Human Virome, the vast, hidden viral ecosystem that is a critical part of you. In this episode, we journey into the microscopic frontier within. You'll meet the unsung heroes of your health: bacteriophages, the "good" viruses that act as microscopic peacekeepers, regulating your bacteria and maintaining the delicate balance of your internal world. They are the guardians of your gut health. But every ecosystem has its predators. We'll uncover the dark side of the virome, exploring how some of these phages can go rogue, turning harmless bacteria into dangerous pathogens by arming them with toxic genes. But the story takes an even more incredible turn... Stick with us to the very end, where we reveal the astonishing science of oncolytic viruses—specialized viruses that are being engineered to hunt down and destroy cancer cells, potentially revolutionizing the future of medicine. This is the hidden world inside all of us, a story of unexpected allies and terrifying betrayals. Subscribe, share this with anyone fascinated by the human body, and let's explore this invisible frontier together.

📣 New Podcast! "You Are a Virus. (And That's a Good Thing)" on @Spreaker #bacteria #bacteriophage #biology #bodyecosystem #cancerresearch #cancertreatment #futureofmedicine #goodviruses #guthealth #health #humanvirome #immunesystem #microbiology #microbiome #oncolyticvirus #phagetherapy

Michelson Prizes: Next-Generation Grants ePanel on Human Immunology, Cancer Vaccines & Immunotherapy Advances On April 29, 2025, Keystone Symposia will host a live ePanel event featuring the recipients of the Michelson Prizes: Next-Generation Grants and their groundbreaking work to advance cancer vaccines and...

Save the date: April 29! Join our FREE ePanel with #MichelsonPrizes winners. Explore breakthroughs in #cancerimmunology, #cancervaccines, #cancerimmunotherapy, & the #humanvirome. Discover how to apply for next year's funding! Register now: keypoint.keystonesymposia.org/home/michels....