"Scientists Uncover 'Trojan Horse' Virus in Human Parasite"

Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a new RNA virus, Apocryptovirus odysseus, hiding within the common human parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This virus is linked to severe inflammation and exacerbates toxoplasmosis, a disease affecting a significant portion of the global population. The study, published in Virus Evolution, suggests that the virus and parasite work together to cause disease, with the virus using the parasite to enter human neurons. This discovery could lead to new biomarkers for parasitic infections and potential treatments targeting the parasite's viruses.