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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Published on: June 19, 2019

Pathogen burden and cortisol profiles over the day.

A Steptoe¹, A Gylfe, A Shamaei-Tousi

¹Department of Epidemiology and Pubic Health, University College London, UK. a.steptoe@ucl.ac.uk

Epidemiology and Infection

|May 20, 2009

Summary

Infectious disease history, specifically cumulative pathogen burden, is linked to altered daily cortisol patterns in adults. Higher pathogen burden correlates with a flatter cortisol slope, suggesting disrupted neuroendocrine regulation.

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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Published on: December 18, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroendocrinology
Immunology
Psychoneuroimmunology

Background:

Early psychosocial adversity impacts adult Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical (HPA) axis regulation.
The influence of infectious disease history on HPA regulation remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between cumulative pathogen burden and daily cortisol profiles in healthy adults.
To determine if specific infectious agents contribute to altered cortisol rhythms.

Main Methods:

Assessed cumulative pathogen burden (Chlamydia pneumoniae, CMV, HSV-1 serostatus) in 317 adults (51-72 years).
Measured salivary cortisol levels repeatedly throughout the day.
Calculated the cortisol slope (daily decrease) and controlled for covariates.

Main Results:

Average pathogen burden was 1.76.
A significant inverse association was found between cumulative pathogen burden and the cortisol slope.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was independently linked to flatter cortisol rhythms.

Conclusions:

Cumulative pathogen burden is independently associated with flatter diurnal cortisol slopes.
Infectious disease history may play a role in disturbed neuroendocrine regulation.
Findings highlight the interplay between infection, the HPA axis, and health outcomes.