New Class of Virus-Like Agents 'Obelisks' Discovered in Human Body

Obelisks, detected in various parts of the body and across all continents, possess unique characteristics and their impact on human health remains unknown.

An international team of researchers has discovered a new class of virus-like agents, named 'Obelisks', that reside within the human body.
Obelisks possess unique characteristics, including secondary rod-like structures and open reading frames capable of facilitating a superfamily of proteins called 'Oblins'.
Obelisks were detected in around 7% of stool samples and close to 50% of oral samples, with their composition varying depending on the areas within the body they are found.
Obelisks have been identified in hosts from all seven continents and a variety of different ecological conditions.
The impact of Obelisks on human health and their exact nature remains unknown.