Question

What is the connection between non-lytic viruses and cancer? Give an example

Answer 1

Non lytic viruses can cause cancers like the HPV even though they are not killing the host cells by lysis. In mammalian cells there are plenty of examples where either an RNA virus ( like the RNA tumor viruses , also called retro viruses ) where the viral genome integrated into the host genome , but can also produce infective viral particles. These viruses have external coats that include both proteins and lipid bilayer membranes ( the virus pinch off , or bud , from the host cells surface )

Many DNA viruses also integrate a copy of their genome into the host cells genomes following infection (eg. Epstein-Barr Virus(it can cause mononucleosis) and members of the Herpes simplex virus family that infects neurons and cause chicken pox or genital herpes . Once you infected with these DNA viruses your body is never rid of them,rather your immune system and cellular defence mechanism fight the infection such that the titre of the infectious viruses drops to nill