A Pathogen Penalty? Associations between Persistent Infections and Biological Aging in the US.

Jennifer Momkus, Kathleen Mullan Harris, Jessie K Edwards, Y Claire Yang, Chantel L Martin, Allison E Aiello

Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Persistent infections, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), illicit chronic immune stimulation and may contribute to biological aging. While CMV has been associated with markers of biological aging in older adults, including immunosenescence, less is known about these associations earlier in adulthood or the role of other persistent infections.

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Research summary

Persistent infections contribute to biological aging through chronic immune stimulation. The paper explores the associations between persistent infections and biological aging, addressing potential root causes of aging rather than merely treating symptoms.

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