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Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria
Published on: April 2, 2013
Are all diseases infectious?
1Section of Infectious Diseases, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
Abstract:
The complex interactions between microorganisms and human hosts include the well-known, traditional infectious diseases and the symbiotic relation we have with our normal flora. The media have brought to the public's attention many newly described infectious diseases, such as Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever, that were not part of common medical parlance a decade ago. While flooding us with interesting and often dramatic reports of so-called emerging infectious diseases, the media have largely ignored a more fundamental change in our appreciation of human-microorganism interactions: the discovery that transmissible agents may play important roles in diseases not suspected of being infectious in origin. A well-known example is ulcer disease; other examples include neurodegenerative disease, inflammatory disease, and cancer. These fascinating instances of host-pathogen interaction open new prospects for the prevention of disease through immunization.
Insights
Emerging infectious diseases are gaining attention, but a fundamental shift reveals transmissible agents also cause non-infectious diseases like cancer. This broadens our understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Human-microorganism interactions encompass infectious diseases and symbiotic relationships with normal flora.
- Recent media focus highlights emerging infectious diseases like Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever.
- A paradigm shift is occurring in understanding host-pathogen interactions beyond traditional infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the evolving understanding of human-microorganism interactions.
- To underscore the role of transmissible agents in diseases not traditionally considered infectious.
- To explore new avenues for disease prevention through immunization.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on infectious and non-infectious diseases.
- Analysis of media reporting trends on emerging infectious diseases.
- Examination of established and novel host-pathogen interactions.
Main Results:
- Transmissible agents are implicated in a growing number of diseases previously not suspected of infectious origins.
- Examples include ulcer disease, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory conditions, and cancers.
- This expanded view challenges traditional disease classifications.
Conclusions:
- The definition of infectious disease is broadening due to new discoveries.
- Host-pathogen interactions offer novel targets for therapeutic and preventative strategies, particularly immunization.
- Further research into these complex interactions is crucial for public health.
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