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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

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Published on: March 19, 2019

Microbial mito-pathogens: fact or fiction?

Ger P A Bongaerts¹, Lambert P van den Heuvel

¹Nijmegen University Centre of Infectious Diseases, Cluster Office CSS (633), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. G.Bongaerts@mmb.umcn.nl

Medical Hypotheses

|September 11, 2007

Summary

Mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, may be targeted by newly proposed pathogens called mito-pathogens. These theoretical microbes, including mitoviruses and mitobacteria, could explain unexplained diseases by damaging cellular energy production.

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Unveiling Xenobiotic Transport and Effects in Isolated Mitochondria: Insights from Respirometric and Enzymatic Assays

Unveiling Xenobiotic Transport and Effects in Isolated Mitochondria: Insights from Respirometric and Enzymatic Assays

Published on: March 7, 2025

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Microbiology
Pathogen Discovery

Background:

Mitochondria are vital intracellular organelles, often called the 'powerhouses' of eukaryotic cells.
Their function is critical for cellular, tissue, and organismal viability.
Mitochondria share characteristics with bacteria, suggesting potential susceptibility to microbial invasion.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose the existence of mitochondrion-specific microbial pathogens (mito-pathogens).
To explore the potential role of these hypothetical pathogens in unexplained diseases.

Main Methods:

Extrapolation from cytological and microbiological data.
Theoretical postulation of novel microbial entities based on mitochondrial characteristics.

Main Results:

Hypothesized existence of mito-pathogens, including mitoviruses, mitoviroids, and mitobacteria.
These pathogens could theoretically damage mitochondria internally.

Conclusions:

Mito-pathogens, though not yet demonstrated in humans, offer a potential explanation for diseases like prion diseases and post-traumatic muscle dystrophy.
Further investigation into these theoretical pathogens is warranted for understanding complex diseases.