Related Experiment Videos
[Can obesity be infectious?].
1Klinika Gastroenterologii i Hepatologii, Instytutu Chorób Wewnetrznych, Akademii Medycznej w Gdańsku. Krystian.Adrych@wp.pl
Przeglad Lekarski
|March 18, 2006
Summary
Obesity is a growing global health concern. Emerging research suggests infectious agents, like human adenovirus Ad-36, may contribute to obesity development, a novel etiological perspective.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Obesity is a prevalent "civilization illness" with increasing global incidence.
- The potential role of infectious agents in obesity etiology has been historically overlooked.
- Recent studies indicate a possible infectious origin for certain obesity cases.
Purpose:
- To explore the emerging concept of infectious obesity.
- To identify known pathogens associated with obesity in animal models.
- To highlight human-relevant pathogens implicated in infectious obesity.
Summary:
- Six pathogens are known to cause obesity in animals, including canine distemper virus (CDV), Borna disease virus (BDV), and human adenovirus Ad-36.
- Two of these pathogens, human adenovirus Ad-36 and avian adenovirus SMAM-1, have been found in humans.
- This suggests a potential pathway for infectious agents to contribute to human obesity.
Impact:
- Highlights a novel area of research in obesity etiology.
- May lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for obesity.
- Emphasizes the need for further investigation into viral and microbial links to metabolic diseases.