In chronic diseases, we are finding that microbial organisms are covertly involved. They tend to work very slowly, stay dormant for long periods, or hide inside cells. Before 1980 stomach ulcers were due to stress and spicy foods. In 1982 Marshall and Warren from Australia described Helicobacter pylori as the cause. At the time scientists didn’t believe that bacteria could live in the human stomach.

Marshall actually ingested H pylori himself and after a few days developed intestinal symptoms. Had a  biopsy of his stomach and was able to culture H pylori. It took until 1994 to formally recognize the link and in 1996 the FDA approved the first antibiotic therapy for ulcers caused by H pylori. In 2005 Marshall and Warren received the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Chronic Diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerosis, Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Cancer have been associated with infectious agents.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, perpetuates inflammation of the gums and has been detected in inflamed tissue in the brain, aorta, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys joints, and pancreas. This bacteria is associated with an enzyme that perpetuates chronic inflammation called gingipain found in samples from people that died from Alzheimer’s.

It may also cause the hardening of the arteries, heart attack, strokes, and also associated with Diabetes. Many may be reluctant to admit that Amyloid and Tau protein may not be the cause of Alzheimer’s and that high cholesterol is not the only reason for Heart Disease.

Recent studies by Harvard University and The Weismann Institute in mice have linked Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and the gut Microbiome to Alzheimer’s and to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Several factors suggest that an infectious agent is involved in triggering Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Studies by Harvard School of Public Health have shown elevated levels of antibodies Epstein Barr virus (EBV), MS risk increases after EBV infection, people with specific immune gene and elevated level of EBV antibodies were 9 times more likely to develop MS and current and former smokers with elevated levels EBV antibodies were 70% more likely to develop MS. Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV6) may also be involved in MS, specifically related to triggering relapses. Antibodies to this virus may help predict the clinical course of MS.

Bacteria in the gut (microbiome) has been linked to Obesity, Autism, and fecal transplant trials have been done with mixed results so far. Researchers harvesting the microbiome of athletes have identified, and plan to commercialize, specific probiotic strains that could aid sports performance and recovery.

A link has been found between gut bacteria and the way people process emotions. Bacteria in the gut can produce neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine)found in the human brain and they may offer a revolutionary therapy for Depression and Anxiety. By analyzing whole-genome in microbes in the gut it showed people with Depression had reduced numbers of bacteria  Coprococcus and Dialister. People with a better quality of life had a bacterium called Butyricicoccus pullicaecerum 25-3T.

This has been called the Psychobiotic Revolution. Studies have shown correlation but not causation, so it is possible that mood is affecting the microbiome rather than the other way around. Cancer has also been associated with different microorganisms, mostly viruses and more recently they are describing bacteria in tumors reflecting may be a humoral microbiome.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma and Castleman’s disease with Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) Burkitt’s lymphoma, Nasopharyngeal and stomach cancer with Epstein Barr virus (EBV), the same virus of Mononucleosis T cell leukemia with Human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) Cancer of cervix, penis, anus, vaginal/vulvar and also mouth and throat with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Liver Cancer with Hepatitis B and C.

As we develop new technologies and gain more knowledge we may find more correlations between microorganisms, their by-products, and the human microbiome; which may open new ways of diagnosing and treating chronic diseases.

Until next time, stay safe.

Writen by Dr. Simon M. Edelstein
Infectious Disease Specialist