BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggested that infection with a common virus might be a contributing factor in the development of obesity.

Louisiana State University researchers said they've found laboratory evidence that infection with human adenovirus-36 -- long recognized as a cause of respiratory and eye infections -- transforms adult stem cells obtained from fat tissue into fat cells. Stem cells not exposed to the virus, in contrast, were unchanged.

In addition the researchers at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center identified a specific gene in the virus that appears to be involved in the obesity-promoting effect.

"We're not saying that a virus is the only cause of obesity but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections," said Dr. Magdalena Pasarica.

The findings, which could lead to a vaccine or antiviral medication to help fight viral obesity, were presented Monday in Boston during the 234th national meeting of the American Chemical Society.