Yale University study suggests herpes could be linked to constipation

June 10, 2016

Yale study found surprising link between constipation and herpes
Sexually transmitted disease spreads from the genitals to nerves in the spinal cord, and from there to neurons in the colon, killing them
Damage to colonic neurons leads to enlarged colon and disease

Lizzie Parry For Dailymail.com

Published:
15:12 EST, 9 June 2016

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Updated:
16:14 EST, 9 June 2016

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It is a painful, unpleasant and embarrassing condition.

But, a new study suggests constipation could be a sign of another, more serious condition.

Scientists at Yale University said they were surprised to find a link between the gut problem and the sexually transmitted infection, herpes.

People diagnosed with herpes report suffering, seemingly unrelated symptoms such as constipation and urinary retention – an inability to empty the bladder.

But, until now scientists did not understand how the two could be linked.

A new study by scientists at Yale University has found a surprising link between constipation and the sexually transmitted virus, herpes

Researchers, led by Professor Akiko Iwasaki, investigated using mice models, where the animals had been infected with herpes simplex virus-1, the dominant cause of genital herpes in the US.

They found that the herpes virus spread from the genitals to nerves in the spinal cord.

From there, they spread on to neurons in the colon, killing them.

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The damage done to the colonic neurons prevented the movement of food along the digestive tract, leading to an enlarged colon and disease.

Professor Iwasaki said: ‘The key finding is that there is this unexpected infection in the neurons in the colon wall after herpes infection.

‘Other members of the herpes virus family, including Epstein-Barr virus, chicken pox virus, and cytomegalovirus have been found in the neurons of the colon of people with unexplained chronic constipation.

‘When doctors can’t figure out the cause of these chronic intestinal conditions, one thing to look at is a viral infection.’

Researchers found that the herpes virus, pictured under the microscope, spread from the genitals to nerves in the spinal cord. From there, they spread on to neurons in the colon, killing them

The researchers noted that while the effects in mice are distinct from what happens in people with herpes, the study reveals a previously unrecognized disease process.

Genital herpes is a common infection, and most people do not know they have it.

The STD is caused by two types of viruses, herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2.

In the US around one in every six people aged 14 to 48 years old have genital herpes.

It is spread via vaginal, oral and anal sex.

Fluids found in a herpes sore, such as a coldsore, can carry the virus and contact with those fluids can cause infection.

It is also possible to catch the virus from an infected sexual partner who does not appear to have a visible sore or who may not know they are infected.

This is because the virus can be released through the skin and spread via that route.

The findings are published in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.