List of human diseases associated with infectious pathogens
Encyclopedia
This article provides a list of diseases with possible (but unconfirmed) infectious etiologies.
Many diseases are linked or associated with infectious pathogens. A disease is said to be linked or associated with an infectious pathogen
when that pathogen is found more frequently in patients with the disease than in healthy controls
. Often, infectious pathogens associated with a disease may be suspected of playing a causal role in that disease. However, just because a pathogen is associated with a disease, it does not automatically imply that the pathogen causes the disease (since correlation does not imply causation
).
Indeed, the terms linked and associated are used here in a strict technical sense: they mean there is a frequent co-occurrence of certain pathogens in certain diseases; however, it should not be read that linked and associated imply that there is a causal relationship between pathogen and disease. An observed association only flags up the possibility that there might be a causal relationship.
For an infectious pathogen that has been noted to frequently accompany a disease, there are several logical possibilities that can explain the observed association:
Determining whether the pathogen plays a causal role in the disease is often difficult for the following reasons:
Note also that infectious microbes are only one of several potential causes of disease; other potential causal factors include: toxin exposure, radiation exposure, dietary and lifestyle factors, stress, genetics, and epigenetics.
In spite of the difficulties in obtaining proof of causality, evolutionary biologist Paul W. Ewald
is noted for his assertion that many common diseases of currently unknown origin are caused by the presence of chronic low-level microbial infection.
Nevertheless, in the following list of diseases associated with infectious pathogens, bear in mind that there is no proof that the associated pathogens play a causal role in the disease, only a possibly that they might. Only further medical research can determine whether the associated pathogens do play a causal role or not.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Anorexia nervosa
Anxiety disorder
Asthma
Atherosclerosis
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Autism
Autoimmune diseases
Bipolar disorder
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Crohn's disease
Coronary heart disease
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Epilepsy
Guillain–Barré syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome
Lupus
Metabolic syndrome
Multiple sclerosis
Myocardial infarction
Obesity
Obsessive–compulsive disorder
Panic disorder
Parkinson's disease
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sarcoidosis
Schizophrenia
Stroke
Thromboangiitis obliterans
Tourette syndrome
Vasculitis
Many diseases are linked or associated with infectious pathogens. A disease is said to be linked or associated with an infectious pathogen
Pathogen
A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...
when that pathogen is found more frequently in patients with the disease than in healthy controls
Scientific control
Scientific control allows for comparisons of concepts. It is a part of the scientific method. Scientific control is often used in discussion of natural experiments. For instance, during drug testing, scientists will try to control two groups to keep them as identical and normal as possible, then...
. Often, infectious pathogens associated with a disease may be suspected of playing a causal role in that disease. However, just because a pathogen is associated with a disease, it does not automatically imply that the pathogen causes the disease (since correlation does not imply causation
Correlation does not imply causation
"Correlation does not imply causation" is a phrase used in science and statistics to emphasize that correlation between two variables does not automatically imply that one causes the other "Correlation does not imply causation" (related to "ignoring a common cause" and questionable cause) is a...
).
Indeed, the terms linked and associated are used here in a strict technical sense: they mean there is a frequent co-occurrence of certain pathogens in certain diseases; however, it should not be read that linked and associated imply that there is a causal relationship between pathogen and disease. An observed association only flags up the possibility that there might be a causal relationship.
For an infectious pathogen that has been noted to frequently accompany a disease, there are several logical possibilities that can explain the observed association:
- The pathogen is an "innocent bystander" that plays no causal role in the etiologyEtiologyEtiology is the study of causation, or origination. The word is derived from the Greek , aitiologia, "giving a reason for" ....
of the disease, but for some reason is more prevalent in patients with the disease (perhaps because the disease compromises the immune response, for example). - The pathogen predisposes to disease development (increases the risk of getting the disease), but the pathogen does not cause the disease (for example, genital herpes increases the risk of acquiring HIV.)
- The pathogen is a necessary, but not sufficient, cause of the disease: in other words, the pathogen does cause the disease, but does so only in combination with one or more other causal factors (such as genetic factors, or toxin exposure).
- The pathogen is a direct and singular cause of the disease, but this causality has yet to be proven.
Determining whether the pathogen plays a causal role in the disease is often difficult for the following reasons:
- The time between contracting an infectious pathogen and the appearance of the first disease symptoms can be lengthy, sometimes decades.
- An infectious pathogen may not cause disease in every person: the infection may be entirely asymptomatic in some people.
- Sometimes, only specific strains of a pathogen are linked to a disease; other strains of the same pathogen may be harmless.
- A pathogen may precipitate the disease only in combination with one or more other causal factors.
- There may be more than one pathogen that can singularly precipitate a given disease.
- Conversely, a given pathogen may not alway cause the same disease - infection with it may lead to one of several different diseases.
- For obvious ethical reasons, you cannot inoculate infectious pathogens into humans to see if these do cause the disease or not.
- Finally, there may be pathogens that are not readily detectable that play a causal role in a disease.
Note also that infectious microbes are only one of several potential causes of disease; other potential causal factors include: toxin exposure, radiation exposure, dietary and lifestyle factors, stress, genetics, and epigenetics.
In spite of the difficulties in obtaining proof of causality, evolutionary biologist Paul W. Ewald
Paul W. Ewald
Paul W. Ewald is an evolutionary biologist, specializing in the evolution of infectious disease. He received his B.Sc. in 1975 from the University of California, Irvine, in Biological Sciences and his Ph.D. in 1980 from the University of Washington, in Zoology, with specialization in Ecology and...
is noted for his assertion that many common diseases of currently unknown origin are caused by the presence of chronic low-level microbial infection.
Nevertheless, in the following list of diseases associated with infectious pathogens, bear in mind that there is no proof that the associated pathogens play a causal role in the disease, only a possibly that they might. Only further medical research can determine whether the associated pathogens do play a causal role or not.
List of human diseases associated with infectious pathogens
Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
- Alzheimer's disease is associated with the bacteria Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
. Herpes simplex virusHerpes simplex virusHerpes simplex virus 1 and 2 , also known as Human herpes virus 1 and 2 , are two members of the herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are ubiquitous and contagious...
1 is associated with Alzheimer's disease in individuals that possess the APOE4 form of the APOE gene (APOE4 enables the herpes virus to enter the brain). The protozoan Toxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic protozoa in the genus Toxoplasma. The definitive host of T. gondii is the cat, but the parasite can be carried by many warm-blooded animals . Toxoplasmosis, the disease of which T...
has been associated with Alzheimer's.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a form of motor neuron disease caused by the degeneration of upper and lower neurons, located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the cortical neurons that provide their efferent input...
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a form of motor neuron disease, is associated with echovirusEchovirusAn ECHO virus, is a type of RNA virus that belongs to the genus Enterovirus of the Picornaviridae family...
(an enterovirusEnterovirusEnteroviruses are a genus of ssRNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of antibody neutralization tests. Additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the...
) infection of the central nervous system, and with retrovirusRetrovirusA retrovirus is an RNA virus that is duplicated in a host cell using the reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its RNA genome. The DNA is then incorporated into the host's genome by an integrase enzyme. The virus thereafter replicates as part of the host cell's DNA...
activity (whether this is from a human endogenous retrovirus or an exogenous retrovirus is not known at present).
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Although commonly called "anorexia", that term on its own denotes any symptomatic loss of appetite and is not strictly accurate...
- Infection with BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
species bacteria is associated with anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa may arise after infection with StreptococcusStreptococcusStreptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
bacteria, in rare cases. Anorexia (which is distinct from anorexia nervosa) is associated with the protozoan parasite Dientamoeba fragilisDientamoeba fragilisDientamoeba fragilis is a single celled parasite found in the gastrointestinal tract of some humans, pigs and gorillas. In some people it causes gastrointestinal upset while in others it does not...
.
Anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety. Conditions now considered anxiety disorders only came under the aegis of psychiatry at the end of the 19th century. Gelder, Mayou & Geddes explains that anxiety disorders are...
- Anxiety is associated with cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
.
Asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
- Asthma is associated with rhinovirusRhinovirusHuman rhinoviruses are the most common viral infective agents in humans and are the predominant cause of the common cold. Rhinovirus infection proliferates in temperatures between 33–35 °C , and this may be why it occurs primarily in the nose...
, human respiratory syncytial virusHuman respiratory syncytial virusHuman respiratory syncytial virus is a virus that causes respiratory tract infections. It is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections and hospital visits during infancy and childhood. A prophylactic medication exists for preterm birth infants and infants with a congenital heart...
and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Chlamydia pneumoniae has been particularly associated with adult-onset asthma.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...
- Atherosclerosis is associated with the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders are associated with the viruses HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and enterovirus 71, and with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferiBorrelia burgdorferiBorrelia burgdorferi is a species of Gram negative bacteria of the spirochete class of the genus Borrelia. B. burgdorferi is predominant in North America, but also exists in Europe, and is the agent of Lyme disease....
and StreptococcusStreptococcusStreptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
. Febrile seizures due to human herpesvirus 6 and influenza A are a risk factor for ADHD. Viral infections during pregnancy, at birth, and in early childhood are a risk factor for ADHD.
Autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
- Autism is associated with prenatal maternal infection with rubella virusRubella virusRubella virus is the pathogenic agent of the disease Rubella, and is the cause of congenital rubella syndrome when infection occurs during the first weeks of lunacy.Humans are the only known host of this virus....
or cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
.ClostridiaClostridiaThe Clostridia are a class of Firmicutes, including Clostridium and other similar genera. They are distinguished from the Bacilli by lacking aerobic respiration. They are obligate anaerobes and oxygen is toxic to them. Species of the genus Clostridium are all Gram-positive and have the ability to...
bacterial species are present in greater numbers in the guts of autistic children.
Autoimmune diseases
- Autoimmune diseases are strongly associated with enteroviruses such as Coxsackie B virus. Autoimmune diseases are associated with the viruses Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
, cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
, parvovirus B19Parvovirus B19The B19 virus, generally referred to as parvovirus B19 or sometimes erythrovirus B19, was the first known human virus in the family of parvoviruses, genus erythrovirus...
and HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
, and the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis . First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M...
. Autoimmune thyroid disease is associated with Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
and Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is associated with bornavirusBornavirusBorna disease virus is the virus that causes Borna disease.- Genome :It has the smallest genome of any Mononegavirales species and is unique within that order in its ability to replicate within the host cell nucleus....
and infection with BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
species bacteria.
Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
- Some estimates attribute 15% to 20% of all cancers to infectious pathogens. This figure, however, might be revised upwards in future, if the pathogens currently associated with cancers (such as those listed to follow) are proved to actually be the cause of those cancers. (Note: for the sake of completeness, some cancers that are known to be caused by pathogens are included in the list, in addition to the cancers associated with pathogens.)
- Adrenal tumorAdrenal tumorThe term adrenal tumor can refer to one of several benign and malignant neoplasms of the adrenal gland, several of which are notable for their tendency to overproduce endocrine hormones. Adrenal cancer specifically refers to malignant adrenal tumors, which include neuroblastoma, adrenocortical...
is associated with BK virusBK virusThe BK virus is a member of the polyomavirus family. Past infection with the BK virus is widespread, but significant consequences of infection are uncommon, with the exception of the immunocompromised and the immunosuppressed.-History:...
and simian virus 40. - Anal cancerAnal cancerAnal cancer is a type of cancer which arises from the anus, the distal orifice of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a distinct entity from the more common colorectal cancer. The etiology, risk factors, clinical progression, staging, and treatment are all different. Anal cancer is typically a...
is associated with human papillomaviruses. - Bladder cancerBladder cancerBladder cancer is any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine; it is located in the pelvis...
is causally connected to SchistosomaSchistosomaA genus of trematodes, Schistosoma, commonly known as blood-flukes and bilharzia, includes flatworms which are responsible for a highly significant parasitic infection of humans by causing the disease schistosomiasis, and are considered by the World Health Organization as the second most...
helminths. - Brain tumorBrain tumorA brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
. Glioblastoma multiformeGlioblastoma multiformeGlioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans, involving glial cells and accounting for 52% of all functional tissue brain tumor cases and 20% of all intracranial tumors. Despite being the most prevalent form of primary brain tumor, GBMs...
is associated with cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
, BK virusBK virusThe BK virus is a member of the polyomavirus family. Past infection with the BK virus is widespread, but significant consequences of infection are uncommon, with the exception of the immunocompromised and the immunosuppressed.-History:...
, JC virusJC virusThe JC virus or John Cunningham virus is a type of human polyomavirus and is genetically similar to BK virus and SV40. It was discovered in 1971 and named using the two initials of a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy...
and simian virus 40. - Breast cancerBreast cancerBreast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
is associated with mouse mammary tumor virusMouse mammary tumor virusMouse mammary tumor virus is a milk transmitted retrovirus like the HTL viruses, HI viruses and BLV. It belongs to the genus betaretroviruses. MMTV was formerly known as Bittner virus, and previously the 'milk factor' referring to the extra-chromosomal vertical transmission of murine breast cancer...
(MMTV), Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
and human papillomaviruses. - Carcinoid tumors are associated with enterovirusEnterovirusEnteroviruses are a genus of ssRNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of antibody neutralization tests. Additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the...
infections. - Cervical cancerCervical cancerCervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
is causally connected to human papillomavirusHuman papillomavirusHuman papillomavirus is a member of the papillomavirus family of viruses that is capable of infecting humans. Like all papillomaviruses, HPVs establish productive infections only in keratinocytes of the skin or mucous membranes...
. - Colorectal cancerColorectal cancerColorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
is associated with Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
, Streptococcus bovisStreptococcus bovisStreptococcus bovis is a catalase- and oxidase-negative, non-motile, non-sporulating, Gram-positive lactic acid bacterium that grows as pairs or chains of cocci. It is a member of the Lancefield group D streptococci. Most strains are non- or gamma-hemolytic, but some also display alpha-hemolytic...
, human papillomavirusHuman papillomavirusHuman papillomavirus is a member of the papillomavirus family of viruses that is capable of infecting humans. Like all papillomaviruses, HPVs establish productive infections only in keratinocytes of the skin or mucous membranes...
and the helminth Schistosoma japonicumSchistosoma japonicumSchistosoma japonicum is an important parasite and one of the major infectious agents of schistosomiasis.This parasite has a very wide host range, infecting at least 31 species of wild mammals, including 9 carnivores, 16 rodents, one primate , two insectivores and three artiodactyls and therefore...
. JC virusJC virusThe JC virus or John Cunningham virus is a type of human polyomavirus and is genetically similar to BK virus and SV40. It was discovered in 1971 and named using the two initials of a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy...
may be a risk factor for colorectal cancer. - Gallbladder cancerGallbladder cancerGallbladder cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer. It has peculiar geographical distribution being common in central and South America, central and eastern Europe, Japan and northern India; it is also common in certain ethnic groups e.g. Native American Indians and Hispanics. If it is diagnosed...
associated with Salmonella typhi. - Hodgkin's lymphomaHodgkin's lymphomaHodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes...
is associated with Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
, hepatitis C virusHepatitis C virusHepatitis C virus is a small , enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae...
and HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
. - Kaposi's SarcomaKaposi's sarcomaKaposi's sarcoma is a tumor caused by Human herpesvirus 8 , also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus . It was originally described by Moritz Kaposi , a Hungarian dermatologist practicing at the University of Vienna in 1872. It became more widely known as one of the AIDS defining...
is causally connected to Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus and HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
. - Liver cancerLiver cancerLiver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
. Hepatocellular carcinomaHepatocellular carcinomaHepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States...
is causally connected to hepatitis B virusHepatitis B virusHepatitis B is an infectious illness caused by hepatitis B virus which infects the liver of hominoidea, including humans, and causes an inflammation called hepatitis. Originally known as "serum hepatitis", the disease has caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa, and it is endemic in China...
, hepatitis C virusHepatitis C virusHepatitis C virus is a small , enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae...
, and the helminth Schistosoma japonicumSchistosoma japonicumSchistosoma japonicum is an important parasite and one of the major infectious agents of schistosomiasis.This parasite has a very wide host range, infecting at least 31 species of wild mammals, including 9 carnivores, 16 rodents, one primate , two insectivores and three artiodactyls and therefore...
. - Lung cancerLung cancerLung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
is associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae, and human papillomavirusHuman papillomavirusHuman papillomavirus is a member of the papillomavirus family of viruses that is capable of infecting humans. Like all papillomaviruses, HPVs establish productive infections only in keratinocytes of the skin or mucous membranes...
and Merkel cell polyomavirusMerkel cell polyomavirusMerkel cell polyomavirus was first described in January 2008. MCV is one of seven known human tumor viruses. It is suspected to cause the majority of cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer. Approximately 80% of Merkel cell carcinoma tumors have been found to be...
. - LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. Adult T-cell leukemiaAdult T-cell leukemiaAdult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a rare cancer of the immune system's own T-cells.Human T cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type 1 is believed to be the cause of it, in addition to several other diseases.-Signs and symptoms:...
is causally connected to human T-cell leukemia virus-1. - MesotheliomaMesotheliomaMesothelioma, more precisely malignant mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs, the mesothelium...
is associated with simian virus 40, especially in conjunction with asbestos exposure. - Nasopharyngeal carcinomaNasopharyngeal carcinomaNasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most common cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the pharynx , behind the nose where the nasal passages and auditory tubes join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract. NPC differs significantly from other cancers of the head and neck...
is causally connected to Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
. - Non-Hodgkin lymphomaNon-Hodgkin lymphomaThe non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. Types of NHL vary significantly in their severity, from indolent to very aggressive....
is associated with HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
and simian virus 40. - Oropharyngeal cancerOropharyngeal cancerOropharyngeal cancer is a disease which malignant cells form in the tissue of oropharynx. Oropharynx is a middle part of the throat which includes the base of the tongue, the tonsils, the soft palate, and the walls of the pharynx.-Studies:...
is causally connected to human papillomaviruses. - Ovarian cancerOvarian cancerOvarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....
is associated with mumps virusMumps virusMumps virus is the causative agent of mumps, a well-known common childhood disease characterised by swelling of the parotid glands and other epithelial tissues, causing high morbidity and in some cases more serious complications such as deafness...
. - Pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
is associated with hepatitis B VirusHepatitis B virusHepatitis B is an infectious illness caused by hepatitis B virus which infects the liver of hominoidea, including humans, and causes an inflammation called hepatitis. Originally known as "serum hepatitis", the disease has caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa, and it is endemic in China...
and Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
. - Prostate cancerProstate cancerProstate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
is associated with xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) and BK virusBK virusThe BK virus is a member of the polyomavirus family. Past infection with the BK virus is widespread, but significant consequences of infection are uncommon, with the exception of the immunocompromised and the immunosuppressed.-History:...
. - Skin neoplasm is associated with human papillomaviruses.
- Squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinoma , occasionally rendered as "squamous-cell carcinoma", is a histologically distinct form of cancer. It arises from the uncontrolled multiplication of malignant cells deriving from epithelium, or showing particular cytological or tissue architectural characteristics of...
is associated with human papilloma virus. - Stomach cancerStomach cancerGastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver...
is associated with Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
. - Thyroid cancerThyroid cancerThyroid neoplasm is a neoplasm or tumor of the thyroid. It can be a benign tumor such as thyroid adenoma, or it can be a malignant neoplasm , such as papillary, follicular, medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer. Most patients are 25 to 65 years of age when first diagnosed; women are more affected...
is associated with simian virus 40.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is associated with enteroviruses (such as Coxsackie B virus), and newer research is tending to demonstrate that enterovirus infection may have a causal relationship to CFS. Chronic fatigue syndrome is also associated with human herpesvirus 6 variant A, human herpesvirus 7Human herpesvirus 7Human herpesvirus 7 is one of eight known members of the Herpesviridae family, also known as human herpes virus. HHV-7 is a member of Betaherpesviridae, a subfamily of the Herpesviridae that also includes HHV-6 and Cytomegalovirus . HHV-7 often acts together with HHV-6, and the viruses together...
, parvovirus B19Parvovirus B19The B19 virus, generally referred to as parvovirus B19 or sometimes erythrovirus B19, was the first known human virus in the family of parvoviruses, genus erythrovirus...
. The bacteria Coxiella burnetiiCoxiella burnetiiCoxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen, and is the causative agent of Q fever. The genus Coxiella is morphologically similar to Rickettsia, but with a variety of genetic and physiological differences. C...
and Chlamydia pneumoniae have been shown to cause chronic fatigue syndrome (and antibiotics can cure these forms of chronic fatigue syndrome).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae and Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
- Crohn's disease is associated with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosisMycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosisMycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is an obligate pathogenic bacterium in the genus Mycobacterium. It is often abbreviated M. paratuberculosis or M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis. It is the causative agent of Johne's disease, which affects ruminants such as cattle, and also perhaps...
. In a murine model, Crohn's disease is precipitated by the norovirus CR6 strain, but only in combination with a variant of the Crohn’s susceptibility gene ATG16L1, and chemical toxic damage to the gut (in other words, through a virus-gene-toxin interaction).
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease
Coronary artery disease is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease...
- Coronary heart disease is associated with herpes simplex virusHerpes simplex virusHerpes simplex virus 1 and 2 , also known as Human herpes virus 1 and 2 , are two members of the herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are ubiquitous and contagious...
1 and the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae
Dementia
Dementia
Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging...
- Dementia is associated with the viruses herpes simplexHerpes simplexHerpes simplex is a viral disease caused by both Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 . Infection with the herpes virus is categorized into one of several distinct disorders based on the site of infection. Oral herpes, the visible symptoms of which are colloquially called cold sores or fever...
type 1, herpes simplexHerpes simplexHerpes simplex is a viral disease caused by both Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 . Infection with the herpes virus is categorized into one of several distinct disorders based on the site of infection. Oral herpes, the visible symptoms of which are colloquially called cold sores or fever...
type 2, cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
, West Nile virusWest Nile virusWest Nile virus is a virus of the family Flaviviridae. Part of the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic...
, bornavirusBornavirusBorna disease virus is the virus that causes Borna disease.- Genome :It has the smallest genome of any Mononegavirales species and is unique within that order in its ability to replicate within the host cell nucleus....
and HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
. Dementia is associated with the helminth Taenia solium (pork tapeworm). Infection with BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
species bacteria is associated with dementia.
Depression
- Depression is associated with cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
, West Nile virusWest Nile virusWest Nile virus is a virus of the family Flaviviridae. Part of the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic...
and Toxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic protozoa in the genus Toxoplasma. The definitive host of T. gondii is the cat, but the parasite can be carried by many warm-blooded animals . Toxoplasmosis, the disease of which T...
infection. - Major depressive disorder is associated with bornavirusBornavirusBorna disease virus is the virus that causes Borna disease.- Genome :It has the smallest genome of any Mononegavirales species and is unique within that order in its ability to replicate within the host cell nucleus....
, as well as BartonellaBartonellaBartonella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. Facultative intracellular parasites, Bartonella species can infect healthy people but are considered especially important as opportunistic pathogens. Bartonella are transmitted by insect vectors such as ticks, fleas, sand flies and mosquitoes...
and BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
species bacteria. - Seasonal affective disorderSeasonal affective disorderSeasonal affective disorder , also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, summer blues, or seasonal depression, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer, spring or autumn...
is associated with Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
.
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose...
- Diabetes mellitus type 1 is generally associated with viral species from the enterovirusEnterovirusEnteroviruses are a genus of ssRNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of antibody neutralization tests. Additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the...
genus, specifically: Coxsackie B virus (coxsackievirus B may directly destroy the insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreas, in addition to causing indirect autoantibody damage to these beta-cells); and echovirusEchovirusAn ECHO virus, is a type of RNA virus that belongs to the genus Enterovirus of the Picornaviridae family...
4 (echovirus 4 may act as an environmental trigger for type 1 diabetes.)
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Diabetes mellitus type 2formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetesis a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and...
- Diabetes mellitus type 2 is associated with cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
, hepatitis C virusHepatitis C virusHepatitis C virus is a small , enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae...
, enteroviruses. and Ljungan virusLjungan virusThe Ljungan virus was first discovered in the mid-1990s after being isolated from a bank vole near the Ljungan river in Medelpad county, Sweden. It has since been established that the Ljungan virus, which is also found in several places in Europe and America, causes serious illness in wild as well...
Metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age...
(see below) carries an increased risk of diabetes mellitus type 2, thus the pathogens associated with metabolic syndrome may also be associated with this form of diabetes.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
- Epilepsy is associated with human herpesvirus 6.
Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Guillain–Barré syndrome is associated with the bacterium Campylobacter jejuniCampylobacter jejuniCampylobacter jejuni is a species of curved, helical-shaped, non-spore forming, Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacteria commonly found in animal feces. It is one of the most common causes of human gastroenteritis in the world. Food poisoning caused by Campylobacter species can be severely...
, and the viruses cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
and enterovirusEnterovirusEnteroviruses are a genus of ssRNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of antibody neutralization tests. Additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the...
.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause. In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements...
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with pathogenic strains of the protozoan parasite Blastocystis hominis. IBS has been associated with Giardia lambliaGiardia lambliaGiardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine, causing giardiasis. The giardia parasite attaches to the epithelium by a ventral adhesive disc, and reproduces via binary fission...
protozoal infection. Irritable bowel syndrome in those with HIV has been associated with the protozoan Dientamoeba fragilisDientamoeba fragilisDientamoeba fragilis is a single celled parasite found in the gastrointestinal tract of some humans, pigs and gorillas. In some people it causes gastrointestinal upset while in others it does not...
.
Lupus
Lupus
Lupus most commonly refers to the disease systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus may also refer to:-Medicine:* Lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune disease with several different forms...
- Lupus is associated with the viruses parvovirus B19Parvovirus B19The B19 virus, generally referred to as parvovirus B19 or sometimes erythrovirus B19, was the first known human virus in the family of parvoviruses, genus erythrovirus...
, Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
and cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age...
- Metabolic syndrome is associated with the bacteria Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
, as well as the viruses cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
and herpes simplex virusHerpes simplex virusHerpes simplex virus 1 and 2 , also known as Human herpes virus 1 and 2 , are two members of the herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are ubiquitous and contagious...
1.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
- Multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating diseaseDemyelinating diseaseA demyelinating disease is any disease of the nervous system in which the myelin sheath of neurons is damaged. This impairs the conduction of signals in the affected nerves, causing impairment in sensation, movement, cognition, or other functions depending on which nerves are involved.The term...
, is associated with Epstein-Barr virusEpstein-Barr virusThe Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
(this is a strong association: Epstein-Barr vaccine has been predicted to eradicate the disease), human herpesvirus 6, varicella zoster virusVaricella zoster virusVaricella zoster virus is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans . It commonly causes chicken-pox in children and Herpes zoster in adults and rarely in children.-Nomenclature:...
, and the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack) is associated with cytomegalovirusCytomegalovirusCytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses...
, Coxsackie B virus (an enterovirusEnterovirusEnteroviruses are a genus of ssRNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of antibody neutralization tests. Additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the...
) and Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
- Obesity is associated with adenovirus 36 which is found in 30% of obese people, but only found in 11% of non-obese people. Obesity is also associated with adenovirus 37 and adenovirus 5. Animals experimentally infected with these three human adenoviruses, AD-36, AD-37, and AD-5, developed increased obesity; other pathogens have also been shown to cause obesity in animal studies. Obesity is associated with higher gut levels of certain problematic FirmicutesFirmicutesThe Firmicutes are a phylum of bacteria, most of which have Gram-positive cell wall structure. A few, however, such as Megasphaera, Pectinatus, Selenomonas and Zymophilus, have a porous pseudo-outer-membrane that causes them to stain Gram-negative...
bacteria (such as ClostridiumClostridiumClostridium is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria, belonging to the Firmicutes. They are obligate anaerobes capable of producing endospores. Individual cells are rod-shaped, which gives them their name, from the Greek kloster or spindle...
, StaphylococcusStaphylococcusStaphylococcus is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria. Under the microscope they appear round , and form in grape-like clusters....
, StreptococcusStreptococcusStreptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
and Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
) in relation to BacteroidetesBacteroidetesThe phylum Bacteroidetes is composed of three large classes of bacteria that are widely distributed in the environment, including in soil, in sediments, sea water and in the guts and on the skin of animals....
bacteria (overweight individuals tend have more of the problematic Firmicutes bacteria in their stomach and intestines; normal weight individuals tend have more Bacteroidetes bacteria). Abdominal obesityAbdominal obesityAbdominal obesity, colloquially known as belly fat or clinically as central obesity, is the accumulation of abdominal fat resulting in an increase in waist size...
(central obesity) forms part of metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age...
(see above), thus the pathogens associated with metabolic syndrome may also be associated with abdominal obesity. See also: InfectobesityInfectobesityThe term "infectobesity" refers to obesity of infectious origin and the emerging field of medical research that studies the relationship between pathogens and weight gain. The term was coined in 2001 by Dr. Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center...
.
Obsessive–compulsive disorder
- Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with StreptococcusStreptococcusStreptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
and BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
species bacteria.
Panic disorder
Panic disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring severe panic attacks. It may also include significant behavioral change lasting at least a month and of ongoing worry about the implications or concern about having other attacks. The latter are called anticipatory attacks...
- Panic disorder is associated with BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
species bacteria, and BartonellaBartonellaBartonella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. Facultative intracellular parasites, Bartonella species can infect healthy people but are considered especially important as opportunistic pathogens. Bartonella are transmitted by insect vectors such as ticks, fleas, sand flies and mosquitoes...
species bacteria.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
- Parkinson's disease is associated with influenza A virus and the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic protozoa in the genus Toxoplasma. The definitive host of T. gondii is the cat, but the parasite can be carried by many warm-blooded animals . Toxoplasmosis, the disease of which T...
.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
- Psoriasis is associated with a Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
trigger.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
- Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with parvovirus B19Parvovirus B19The B19 virus, generally referred to as parvovirus B19 or sometimes erythrovirus B19, was the first known human virus in the family of parvoviruses, genus erythrovirus...
. The detection of antibodies to BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
outer surface protein A is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis , also called sarcoid, Besnier-Boeck disease or Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease, is a disease in which abnormal collections of chronic inflammatory cells form as nodules in multiple organs. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown...
- Sarcoidosis is associated with Mycobacteria species, and the bacteria Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
and Borrelia burgdorferiBorrelia burgdorferiBorrelia burgdorferi is a species of Gram negative bacteria of the spirochete class of the genus Borrelia. B. burgdorferi is predominant in North America, but also exists in Europe, and is the agent of Lyme disease....
.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
- Schizophrenia is associated with neonatal infection by Coxsackie B virus (an enterovirusEnterovirusEnteroviruses are a genus of ssRNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of antibody neutralization tests. Additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the...
), which one study found carries an increased risk of adult onset schizophrenia. Prenatal Influenza virusOrthomyxoviridaeThe Orthomyxoviridae are a family of RNA viruses that includes five genera: Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B, Influenzavirus C, Isavirus and Thogotovirus. A sixth has recently been described...
exposure in the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of schizophrenia by 7-fold. Schizophrenia is associated with bornavirusBornavirusBorna disease virus is the virus that causes Borna disease.- Genome :It has the smallest genome of any Mononegavirales species and is unique within that order in its ability to replicate within the host cell nucleus....
, and the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatisChlamydia trachomatisChlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular human pathogen, is one of three bacterial species in the genus Chlamydia. C. trachomatis is a Gram-negative bacteria, therefore its cell wall components retain the counter-stain safranin and appear pink under a light microscope.The inclusion bodies...
, and BorreliaBorreliaBorrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species...
species bacteria.
Stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
- Stroke is associated with the bacteria Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pyloriHelicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
, Mycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis . First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M...
and Mycoplasma pneumoniaeMycoplasma pneumoniaeMycoplasma pneumoniae is a very small bacterium in the class Mollicutes.It causes the disease mycoplasma pneumonia, a form of atypical bacterial pneumonia, and is related to cold agglutinin disease.-Cell wall/Treatment:...
. Stroke is associated with the virus varicella zoster virusVaricella zoster virusVaricella zoster virus is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans . It commonly causes chicken-pox in children and Herpes zoster in adults and rarely in children.-Nomenclature:...
. Stroke is associated with the fungus HistoplasmaHistoplasmaHistoplasma is a genus of dimorphic fungi commonly found in bird and bat fecal material. Histoplasma contains a few species, including—H. capsulatum—the causative agent of histoplasmosis; and Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum , causing epizootic lymphangitis in horses...
.
Thromboangiitis obliterans
- Thromboangiitis obliterans has been associated with RickettsiaRickettsiaRickettsia is a genus of non-motile, Gram-negative, non-sporeforming, highly pleomorphic bacteria that can present as cocci , rods or thread-like . Being obligate intracellular parasites, the Rickettsia survival depends on entry, growth, and replication within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic host cells...
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical tics and at least one vocal tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane...
- Tourette syndrome is associated with the bacterium StreptococcusStreptococcusStreptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
. The bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniaeMycoplasma pneumoniaeMycoplasma pneumoniae is a very small bacterium in the class Mollicutes.It causes the disease mycoplasma pneumonia, a form of atypical bacterial pneumonia, and is related to cold agglutinin disease.-Cell wall/Treatment:...
, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatisChlamydia trachomatisChlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular human pathogen, is one of three bacterial species in the genus Chlamydia. C. trachomatis is a Gram-negative bacteria, therefore its cell wall components retain the counter-stain safranin and appear pink under a light microscope.The inclusion bodies...
and the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondiiToxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic protozoa in the genus Toxoplasma. The definitive host of T. gondii is the cat, but the parasite can be carried by many warm-blooded animals . Toxoplasmosis, the disease of which T...
may be contributory or aggravating factors in Tourette's.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis
Vasculitis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels. Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis...
- Vasculitis is associated with the viruses HIVHIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
, parvovirus B19Parvovirus B19The B19 virus, generally referred to as parvovirus B19 or sometimes erythrovirus B19, was the first known human virus in the family of parvoviruses, genus erythrovirus...
and hepatitis B virusHepatitis B virusHepatitis B is an infectious illness caused by hepatitis B virus which infects the liver of hominoidea, including humans, and causes an inflammation called hepatitis. Originally known as "serum hepatitis", the disease has caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa, and it is endemic in China...
. The hepatitis C virusHepatitis C virusHepatitis C virus is a small , enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae...
is an established cause of vasculitis.
Cross reference: Pathogens and their associated diseases
For some selected pathogens, the set of their disease associations is shown in the bar graphs below. For each bar below, the pathogen in question has been found more frequently in patients with the listed diseases than it has in healthy controls, but it has not been proven that the pathogen plays any causal role in the listed diseases (nevertheless, investigations to examine whether it might play a causal role are generally ongoing). By contrast, the diseases below enclosed in brackets indicate that the pathogen is a proven cause of that disease.| Cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus is a viral genus of the viral group known as Herpesviridae or herpesviruses. It is typically abbreviated as CMV: The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV or human herpesvirus-5 , and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses... |
Anxiety disorder Anxiety disorder Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety. Conditions now considered anxiety disorders only came under the aegis of psychiatry at the end of the 19th century. Gelder, Mayou & Geddes explains that anxiety disorders are... • Autism Autism Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their... • Autoimmune diseases • Brain tumor Brain tumor A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal... • Dementia Dementia Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging... • Depression • Diabetes mellitus type 2 Diabetes mellitus type 2 Diabetes mellitus type 2formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetesis a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and... • Guillain–Barré syndrome • Lupus Lupus Lupus most commonly refers to the disease systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus may also refer to:-Medicine:* Lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune disease with several different forms... • Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age... • Myocardial infarction Myocardial infarction Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die... |
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| Enteroviruses |
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a form of motor neuron disease caused by the degeneration of upper and lower neurons, located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the cortical neurons that provide their efferent input... • ADHD • Autoimmune diseases • Carcinoid tumors • Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially... • Diabetes mellitus type 1 Diabetes mellitus type 1 Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose... • Diabetes mellitus type 2 Diabetes mellitus type 2 Diabetes mellitus type 2formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetesis a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and... • Guillain–Barré syndrome • Myocardial infarction Myocardial infarction Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die... • Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social... |
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| Epstein-Barr virus Epstein-Barr virus The Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis... |
Autoimmune diseases • Breast cancer Breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas... • Esophageal cancer Esophageal cancer Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus... • Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes... • (Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most common cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the pharynx , behind the nose where the nasal passages and auditory tubes join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract. NPC differs significantly from other cancers of the head and neck... ) • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases... • Seasonal affective disorder Seasonal affective disorder Seasonal affective disorder , also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, summer blues, or seasonal depression, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer, spring or autumn... • Lupus Lupus Lupus most commonly refers to the disease systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus may also refer to:-Medicine:* Lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune disease with several different forms... • Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms... |
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| Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis B is an infectious illness caused by hepatitis B virus which infects the liver of hominoidea, including humans, and causes an inflammation called hepatitis. Originally known as "serum hepatitis", the disease has caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa, and it is endemic in China... |
(Hepatocellular carcinoma Hepatocellular carcinoma Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States... ) • Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a... • Vasculitis Vasculitis Vasculitis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels. Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis... |
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| Hepatitis C virus Hepatitis C virus Hepatitis C virus is a small , enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae... |
Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes... • (Hepatocellular carcinoma Hepatocellular carcinoma Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States... ) • Diabetes mellitus type 2 Diabetes mellitus type 2 Diabetes mellitus type 2formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetesis a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and... • (Vasculitis Vasculitis Vasculitis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels. Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis... ) |
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| Herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 , also known as Human herpes virus 1 and 2 , are two members of the herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are ubiquitous and contagious... |
Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death... • Coronary heart disease Coronary heart disease Coronary artery disease is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease... • Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age... |
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| HIV HIV Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive... |
ADHD • Autoimmune diseases • Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes... • (Kaposi's Sarcoma Kaposi's sarcoma Kaposi's sarcoma is a tumor caused by Human herpesvirus 8 , also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus . It was originally described by Moritz Kaposi , a Hungarian dermatologist practicing at the University of Vienna in 1872. It became more widely known as one of the AIDS defining... ) • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Non-Hodgkin lymphoma The non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. Types of NHL vary significantly in their severity, from indolent to very aggressive.... • Dementia Dementia Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging... • Vasculitis Vasculitis Vasculitis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels. Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis... |
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| Human herpesvirus 6 |
ADHD • Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially... • Epilepsy Epilepsy Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases... • Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms... |
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| Influenza A |
ADHD • Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system... |
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| Parvovirus B19 Parvovirus B19 The B19 virus, generally referred to as parvovirus B19 or sometimes erythrovirus B19, was the first known human virus in the family of parvoviruses, genus erythrovirus... |
Autoimmune diseases • Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially... • Lupus Lupus Lupus most commonly refers to the disease systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus may also refer to:-Medicine:* Lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune disease with several different forms... • Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development... • Vasculitis Vasculitis Vasculitis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels. Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis... |
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| Bartonella Bartonella Bartonella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. Facultative intracellular parasites, Bartonella species can infect healthy people but are considered especially important as opportunistic pathogens. Bartonella are transmitted by insect vectors such as ticks, fleas, sand flies and mosquitoes... |
Major depressive disorder • Panic disorder Panic disorder Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring severe panic attacks. It may also include significant behavioral change lasting at least a month and of ongoing worry about the implications or concern about having other attacks. The latter are called anticipatory attacks... |
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| Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia is a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. It causes borreliosis, a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species... |
Anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Although commonly called "anorexia", that term on its own denotes any symptomatic loss of appetite and is not strictly accurate... • ADHD • Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or... • Dementia Dementia Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging... • Depression • Obsessive–compulsive disorder • Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development... • Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis , also called sarcoid, Besnier-Boeck disease or Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease, is a disease in which abnormal collections of chronic inflammatory cells form as nodules in multiple organs. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown... • Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social... |
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| Chlamydia pneumoniae |
Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death... • Asthma Asthma Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath... • Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol... • Lung cancer Lung cancer Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary... • (Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially... ) • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases... • Coronary heart disease Coronary heart disease Coronary artery disease is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease... • Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age... • Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms... • Myocardial infarction Myocardial infarction Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die... • Stroke Stroke A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage... • Tourette syndrome Tourette syndrome Tourette syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical tics and at least one vocal tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane... |
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| Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were... |
Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death... • Autoimmune diseases • Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a... • Stomach cancer Stomach cancer Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver... • Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that, when occurring together, increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people in the United States and prevalence increases with age... • Obesity Obesity Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems... • Psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of... • Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis , also called sarcoid, Besnier-Boeck disease or Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease, is a disease in which abnormal collections of chronic inflammatory cells form as nodules in multiple organs. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown... • Stroke Stroke A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage... |
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| Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis . First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M... |
Autoimmune diseases • Stroke Stroke A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage... |
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| Streptococcus Streptococcus Streptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning... |
Anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Although commonly called "anorexia", that term on its own denotes any symptomatic loss of appetite and is not strictly accurate... • ADHD • Colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus.... • Obsessive–compulsive disorder • Tourette syndrome Tourette syndrome Tourette syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical tics and at least one vocal tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane... |
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| Toxoplasma gondii Toxoplasma gondii Toxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic protozoa in the genus Toxoplasma. The definitive host of T. gondii is the cat, but the parasite can be carried by many warm-blooded animals . Toxoplasmosis, the disease of which T... |
Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death... • Depression • Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system... • Tourette syndrome Tourette syndrome Tourette syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical tics and at least one vocal tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane... |
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See also
- List of infectious diseases
- Infectious diseaseInfectious diseaseInfectious diseases, also known as communicable diseases, contagious diseases or transmissible diseases comprise clinically evident illness resulting from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic biological agents in an individual host organism...
- Lists of diseases
- Virus diseases
- Fungal diseases
- OncovirusOncovirusAn oncovirus is a virus that can cause cancer. This term originated from studies of acutely-transforming retroviruses in the 1950–60s, often called oncornaviruses to denote their RNA virus origin. It now refers to any virus with a DNA or RNA genome causing cancer and is synonymous with "tumor...
- Cancer bacteriaCancer bacteriaCancer bacteria are bacterial infectious organisms that are known or suspected to cause cancer. While cancer-associated bacteria have long been considered to be opportunistic , there is some evidence that bacteria may be directly carcinogenic. The strongest evidence to date involves the bacterium H...
- List of clinically important bacteria
- List of parasites of humans
- Transmission (medicine)Transmission (medicine)In medicine and biology, transmission is the passing of a communicable disease from an infected host individual or group to a conspecific individual or group, regardless of whether the other individual was previously infected...
- Human Microbiome ProjectHuman microbiome projectThe Human Microbiome Project is a United States National Institutes of Health initiative with the goal of identifying and characterizing the microorganisms which are found in association with both healthy and diseased humans . Launched in 2008, it is a five-year project, best characterized as a...
- Medical microbiologyMedical microbiologyMedical microbiology is both a branch of medicine and microbiology which deals with the study of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites which are of medical importance and are capable of causing infectious diseases in human beings...
- Koch's postulatesKoch's postulatesKoch's postulates are four criteria designed to establish a causal relationship between a causative microbe and a disease. The postulates were formulated by Robert Koch and Friedrich Loeffler in 1884 and refined and published by Koch in 1890...
Further reading
- Equations that Spell Disaster: Researchers are pinpointing the factors that combine to produce complex diseases
- Can you catch a heart attack?
- Role of Chronic Bacterial and Viral Infections in Neurodegenerative, Neurobehavioral, Psychiatric, Autoimmune and Fatiguing Illnesses: Part 1
- Role of Chronic Bacterial and Viral Infections in Neurodegenerative, Neurobehavioural, Psychiatric, Autoimmune and Fatiguing Illnesses: Part 2