Latest news with #Chlamydiapneumoniae
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Prone to nose-picking? Study suggests a surprising link between this common habit and Alzheimer's
Ever noticed someone being lost in oblivion, picking their nose like time had frozen still? Well, you're not alone! We all have been witnesses to this slightly embarrassing yet quite common act. But did you know, this age-old habit of picking your nose might have a bigger impact on your health? A study has found a possible, though yet to be proven, connection between picking your nose and a higher risk of dementia. Read on to know more! What's happening? The research in question was published in Scientific Reports . The idea is this: if nose-picking damages the delicate inner tissue, it can create an easier pathway for certain bacteria to reach the brain. Once there, the brain may react in ways similar to the early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers stress that this link is far from certain. The current evidence comes from studies in mice, not humans. Still, the findings could help scientists better understand how Alzheimer's starts, something that still remains a mystery. How the study was conducted The research team, led by scientists at Griffith University in Australia, studied a bacterium called Chlamydia pneumoniae. This germ can infect humans and cause pneumonia, and has also been found in most brains affected by late-onset dementia. In mice, the team discovered that the bacteria could travel along the olfactory nerve, the pathway connecting the nasal cavity to the brain. Damage to the nasal epithelium (the thin tissue lining the roof of the nasal cavity) made the infection worse. This damage triggered the mouse brains to release more amyloid-beta protein, which the body produces to fight infections. Unfortunately, amyloid-beta can clump into plaques, a hallmark often seen in people with Alzheimer's disease. "We're the first to show that Chlamydia pneumoniae can go directly up the nose and into the brain where it can set off pathologies that look like Alzheimer's disease," said neuroscientist James St John from Griffith University in October 2022, as quoted by Science Alert. He added, "We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well." Why scientists are now paying attention The bacteria spread quickly in mice, reaching the brain within 24 to 72 hours. Researchers believe bacteria and viruses may use the nose as a shortcut to the central nervous system. It's still unclear whether the same happens in humans or whether amyloid-beta plaques actually cause Alzheimer's. But St John says it's worth investigating: "We need to do this study in humans and confirm whether the same pathway operates in the same way," he said. "What we do know is that these same bacteria are present in humans, but we haven't worked out how they get there." Everyday habits and potential risks: Finding the link Nose-picking isn't rare; in fact, research suggests that up to 9 out of 10 people do it, along with several other animal species. While most see it as harmless, this study suggests there might be hidden risks. Until more is known, St John and his colleagues recommend avoiding both nose-picking and nose-hair plucking, as both can damage protective nasal tissue. The bigger picture in Alzheimer's research Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, eventually impacting the ability to carry out even simple tasks. It's the most common form of dementia. While symptoms can vary, they often include memory loss, difficulty with thinking and reasoning, and changes in mood and behavior. There's currently no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow the disease's progression. One key question researchers want to answer is whether amyloid-beta deposits are a temporary immune response that disappears after infection, or if they cause lasting harm. Alzheimer's is a complex disease with many possible causes, from age to environmental exposure. As St John explains: "Once you get over 65 years old, your risk factor goes right up, but we're looking at other causes as well, because it's not just age, it is environmental exposure as well. And we think that bacteria and viruses are critical." Every new piece of research adds to the puzzle. While the findings from this mouse study don't prove a direct link, they do highlight an intriguing possibility that could bring us one step closer to understanding and one day preventing Alzheimer's disease. Weekly Health News (August 11-18)
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study on Mice Suggests Surprising Link Between Nose-Picking And Alzheimer's
A study published in 2022 revealed a tenuous but plausible link between picking your nose and increasing the risk of developing dementia. In cases where picking at your nose damages internal tissues, critical species of bacteria have a clearer path to the brain, which responds to their presence in ways that resemble signs of Alzheimer's disease. There are plenty of caveats here, not least that so far the supporting research is based on mice rather than humans, but the findings are definitely worth further investigation – and could improve our understanding of how Alzheimer's gets started, which remains something of a mystery. A team of researchers led by scientists from Griffith University in Australia ran tests with a bacterium called Chlamydia pneumoniae, which can infect humans and cause pneumonia. The bacteria has also been discovered in the majority of human brains affected by late-onset dementia. It was demonstrated that in mice, the bacteria could travel up the olfactory nerve (joining the nasal cavity and the brain). What's more, when there was damage to the nasal epithelium (the thin tissue along the roof of the nasal cavity), nerve infections got worse. This led to the mouse brains depositing more of the amyloid-beta protein – a protein which is released in response to infections. Plaques (or clumps) of this protein are also found in significant concentrations in people with Alzheimer's disease. "We're the first to show that Chlamydia pneumoniae can go directly up the nose and into the brain where it can set off pathologies that look like Alzheimer's disease," said neuroscientist James St John from Griffith University in Australia back in October 2022, when the study was released. "We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well." The scientists were surprised by the speed at which C. pneumoniae took hold in the central nervous system of the mice, with infection happening within 24 to 72 hours. It's thought that bacteria and viruses see the nose as a quick route to the brain. While it's not certain that the effects will be the same in humans, or even that amyloid-beta plaques are a cause of Alzheimer's, it's nevertheless important to follow up promising leads in the fight to understand this common neurodegenerative condition. "We need to do this study in humans and confirm whether the same pathway operates in the same way," said St John. "It's research that has been proposed by many people, but not yet completed. What we do know is that these same bacteria are present in humans, but we haven't worked out how they get there." Nose picking isn't exactly a rare thing. In fact, it's possible as many as 9 out of 10 people do it… not to mention a bunch of other species (some a little more adept than others). While the benefits aren't clear, studies like this one should give us pause before picking. Future studies into the same processes in humans are planned – but until then, St John and his colleagues suggest that picking your nose and plucking your nose hair are "not a good idea" because of the potential damage it does to protective nose tissue. One outstanding question that the team will be looking to answer is whether or not the increased amyloid-beta protein deposits are a natural, healthy immune response that can be reversed when the infection is fought off. Alzheimer's is an incredibly complicated disease, as is clear from the sheer number of studies into it and the many different angles scientists are taking in trying to understand it – but each piece of research brings us a little bit closer to finding a way to stop it. "Once you get over 65 years old, your risk factor goes right up, but we're looking at other causes as well, because it's not just age – it is environmental exposure as well," said St John. "And we think that bacteria and viruses are critical." The research was published in Scientific Reports. A version of this article was first published in November 2022. There Are Good Health Reasons For Leaving Your Shoes at The Door Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Guard Against Dementia, Research Finds A 5-Minute Workout Each Day Can Still Make a Huge Health Difference
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pope Francis' medical condition: What to know about bilateral pneumonia
Following Pope Francis' diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia, doctors are speaking about the condition. The Vatican announced the Catholic faith leader's diagnosis — which was reportedly confirmed via laboratory tests and chest X-rays — in a statement on Tuesday. "The polymicrobial infection, which arose on a picture of bronchiectasis and asmatiform bronchitis, and which required the use of antibiotic cortisone therapy, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex," the statement said. Pope Francis Diagnosed With Bilateral Pneumonia, Vatican Says "The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon … demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy." Pope Francis, 88, was recently hospitalized to treat bronchitis, a condition that can lead to pneumonia. Read On The Fox News App Pneumonia is defined by Cleveland Clinic as an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. This can cause the lung tissue to swell and create a buildup of fluid or pus in the lungs. Surge In Walking Pneumonia Affects These High-risk Groups, Says Dr. Marc Siegel Bilaterial pneumonia, also known as double pneumonia, occurs in both lungs at the same time. Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News' senior medical analyst, said the risk of bilateral pneumonia depends on the underlying health conditions of the patient and the strength of the person's immune system. "It also depends on the bacteria — is it a resistant, aggressive form like pseudomonas, or strep or pneumococcus?" he told Fox News Digital. "There are many causes — but in this case, I would suspect strep or pneumococcus," Siegel said. "[The pope] is not a smoker or immunocompromised, so I doubt it is staph aureus or gram-negative bacteria." Most cases of community-acquired pneumonia are bacterial or viral. Bacterial pneumonia is normally more severe than viral pneumonia, according to Cleveland Clinic. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter It can be caused by an infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, also called pneumococcal disease. Other bacteria that can cause the respiratory condition include mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella (Legionnaires' disease), per the above source. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia can sometimes stem from viruses that include the flu, common cold, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to Cleveland Clinic. For more Health articles, visit This type of pneumonia typically improves on its own. In less common cases, some fungi (molds) or protozoa can cause pneumonia. "The biggest concern is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life-threatening," Siegel cautioned. The condition is also more dangerous for the elderly, the doctor added. "[The pope] is also missing part of his lung due to prior pneumonia, and the scarring can cause recurrence and make healing more difficult," he article source: Pope Francis' medical condition: What to know about bilateral pneumonia
Fox News
19-02-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Pope Francis' medical condition: What to know about bilateral pneumonia
Following Pope Francis' diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia, doctors are speaking about the condition. The Vatican announced the Catholic leader's diagnosis — which was reportedly confirmed via laboratory tests and chest X-rays — in a statement on Tuesday. "The polymicrobial infection, which arose on a picture of bronchiectasis and asmatiform bronchitis, and which required the use of antibiotic cortisone therapy, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex," the statement said. "The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon … demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy." Pope Francis, 88, was recently hospitalized to treat bronchitis, a condition that can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is defined by Cleveland Clinic as an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. This can cause the lung tissue to swell and create a buildup of fluid or pus in the lungs. Bilaterial pneumonia, also known as double pneumonia, occurs in both lungs at the same time. Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, said the risk of bilateral pneumonia depends on the underlying health conditions of the patient and the strength of their immune system. "It also depends on the bacteria — is it a resistant, aggressive form like pseudomonas, or strep or pneumococcus?" he told Fox News Digital. "The biggest concern is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life-threatening." "There are many causes — but in this case, I would suspect strep or pneumococcus," Siegel said. "[The pope] is not a smoker or immunocompromised, so I doubt it is staph aureus or gram-negative bacteria." Most cases of community-acquired pneumonia are bacterial or viral. Bacterial pneumonia is normally more severe than viral pneumonia, according to Cleveland Clinic. It can be caused by an infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, also called pneumococcal disease. Other bacteria that can cause the respiratory condition include mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella (Legionnaires' disease), per the above source. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia can sometimes stem from viruses that include the flu, common cold, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to Cleveland Clinic. For more Health articles, visit This type of pneumonia typically improves on its own. In less common cases, some fungi (molds) or protozoa can cause pneumonia. "The biggest concern is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life-threatening," Siegel cautioned. The condition is also more dangerous for the elderly, the doctor added. "[The pope] is also missing part of his lung due to prior pneumonia, and the scarring can cause recurrence and make healing more difficult," he said.
