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Infectious agents and the etiology of chronic idiopathic diseases
1Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, California, USA.
Abstract:
At the end of the nineteenth century, the field of microbiology was born, and the infectious nature of many previously unexplained diseases was illuminated as powerful new technology was applied. At the end of the twentieth century, the etiology of myriad chronic diseases remains unexplained. We have argued that many of these diseases have clinical, epidemiological, and pathological features that suggest a role for microbes in their pathogenesis. Although definitive evidence of microbial disease causation is lacking, we believe that new technologies, such as sequence-based microbial identification, will successfully be applied to many of these chronic idiopathic diseases in the near future. As novel pathogens and previously described pathogens are revealed as the causative agents for some of these conditions, new diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic modalities may emerge, transforming some diseases from idiopathic and chronic, to infectious and curable.
Insights
The study suggests microbes may cause chronic diseases, a shift from viewing them as idiopathic. New technologies could identify these microbial causes, leading to infectious disease treatments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Chronic Disease Etiology
Background:
- The 19th century saw microbiology emerge, explaining infectious diseases with new technologies.
- Many chronic diseases in the 20th century lack clear causes.
- Clinical, epidemiological, and pathological data suggest microbial involvement in chronic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential role of microbes in the pathogenesis of unexplained chronic diseases.
- To highlight the promise of new technologies in identifying microbial causes of chronic conditions.
- To propose a paradigm shift in understanding and treating chronic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical, epidemiological, and pathological features of chronic diseases.
- Discussion of the potential application of sequence-based microbial identification.
- Exploration of emerging technologies for pathogen discovery.
Main Results:
- While definitive evidence is currently lacking, the study posits that microbes are likely causative agents for some chronic diseases.
- New technologies are expected to successfully identify microbial links to idiopathic diseases.
- Identification of novel or known pathogens could revolutionize treatment approaches.
Conclusions:
- A microbial etiology is proposed for many chronic diseases currently considered idiopathic.
- Advancements in sequence-based identification hold significant potential for uncovering these links.
- Discovering infectious causes could transform chronic diseases into curable conditions through new diagnostics and therapeutics.