Historic evidence to support a causal relationship between spirochetal infections and Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Following previous observations a statistically significant association between various types of spirochetes and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) fulfilled Hill’s criteria in favor of a causal relationship. If spirochetal infections can indeed cause AD, the pathological and biological hallmarks of AD should also occur in syphilitic dementia. To answer this question, observations and illustrations on the detection of spirochetes in the atrophic form of general paresis, which is known to be associated with slowly progressive dementia, were reviewed and compared with the characteristic pathology of AD. Historic observations and illustrations published in the first half of the 20th Century indeed confirm that the pathological hallmarks, which define AD, are also present in syphilitic dementia. Cortical spirochetal colonies are made up by innumerable tightly spiraled Treponema pallidum spirochetes, which are morphologically indistinguishable from senile plaques, using conventional light microscopy. Local brain amyloidosis also occurs in general paresis and, as in AD, corresponds to amyloid beta. These historic observations enable us to conclude that chronic spirochetal infections can cause dementia and reproduce the defining hallmarks of AD. They represent further evidence in support a causal relationship between various spirochetal infections and AD. They also indicate that local invasion of the brain by these helically shaped bacteria reproduce the filamentous pathology characteristic of AD. Chronic infection by spirochetes, and co-infection with other bacteria and viruses should be included in our current view on the etiology of AD. Prompt action is needed as AD might be prevented.

Inflammasome Involvement in Alzheimer’s Disease

“…This is supported by reports highlighting microorganisms and their toxic products as well as DNA in brain tissue Furthermore, cultured neuronal cells exposed to spirochetes produce Aβ (104). Spirochetes are also able to form plaque-, tangle-and curly fiber-like lesions (72,105). They induce a latent and slowly progressive infection by evading host defenses.…”

Apolipoprotein E Related Co-Morbidities and Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The atrophic form of general paresis has recently become accepted as an example of a chronic bacterial infection leading to dementia, reproducing the neuropathological hallmarks of AD [128]. More recent reports relating infections to a causative role in the onset of dementia are supported by Kamer et al [129] suggesting that mild periodontitis is associated with higher brain amyloid load in normal elderly subjects in the hippocampus.…”

“…Dementia can result from infections with AD hallmark proteostatsis [128] and from infection and inflammation alone as exampled by HIV-dementia [130]. The introduction of successful antiretroviral medication has led to people with HIV infection living longer.…”

Can Better Management of Periodontal Disease Delay the Onset and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease?

“…Intensive research is underway with newer hypotheses incorporating Aβ senile plaques as by-products of bacterial biofilm matrices [54,55], and determining the existence of synergy among multiple-microbial species. If this is the case, oral bacterial infections will reveal their potential to cause/modulate the late-onset AD with possible synergy with other spirochetes as suggested elsewhere [49,56].…”