Bacteriophages: Are They an Overlooked Driver of Parkinson’s Disease?
Human Microbiology Institute research the first propose the concept of bacteriophages as human pathogens. In this study we discovered the effect of certain bacteriophages on the microbiota of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) that might contribute to the onset of this pathology
Research Will Be Presented at American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Microbe 2018
Bacteriophages: Are they an overlooked driver of Parkinson’s disease?
The researchers, led by George, Tetz, M.D., Ph.D., Human Microbiology Institute, showed that the abundance of lytic Lactococcus phages was higher in PD patients when compared to healthy individuals. This abundance led to a 10-fold reduction in neurotransmitter-producing Lactococcus, suggesting the possible role of phages in neurodegeneration. Comparative analysis of the bacterial component also revealed significant decreases in Streptococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in PD.
Our presentation “Parkinson’s disease and bacteriophages as its overlooked contributors” has been selected as a Neuroscience 2018 Hot Topic, which SfN distributes to the media. Limited copies of the Hot Topics book are printed exclusively for the media.
Bacteriophages are Potential New Human Pathogens
Human Microbiology Institute Research the First to Demonstrate that Bacteriophages Can Alter Gut Microbiome Causing Increased Gut Permeability, Which is Associated with Human Diseases Research Presented in an Oral Session at American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Microbe 2017