U.S. researchers have identified enzymes and biochemical compounds called lipids that are targeted and modified by the dengue virus during infection.

The research, which appeared Thursday in the online journal of PLoS Pathogens, suggests a potential new approach to control the aggressive mosquito-borne pathogen.

The findings also suggest that medications used to treat high cholesterol and other lipid-related conditions might also inhibit dengue's replication and could represent a potential new therapy.

The researchers uncovered new details of how the virus alters lipids in membranes surrounding structures inside cells called organelles, including the mitochondria, which provide energy critical for a cell to function, and the endoplasmic reticulum, where proteins and lipids are synthesized.

The findings could apply to viruses similar to dengue, including the West Nile virus, yellow fever and hepatitis C.

Dengue causes 50 million to 100 million infections per year and is considered one of the most aggressive mosquito-borne human pathogens worldwide. It is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian and Latin American countries.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet