Pathogen burden and leukocyte telomere length in the United States

Abstract

Background Prior studies in humans have suggested that telomere shortening may be accelerated by infection, but research on multiple pathogens and use of large population-based study samples has been limited. We estimated cross-sectional associations between seropositivity to five persistent pathogens (Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1), Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori), and Hepatitis B) as well as total pathogen burden and leukocyte telomere length. Data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2000) for individuals 20–49 years of age, N = 1708. We analyzed the influence of each pathogen separately, a pathogen count score and a latent class model of pathogen burden on log telomere length using linear regression models, adjusted for covariates. Results Individuals in a latent pathogen burden class characterized by high probabilities of infection with HSV-1, CMV, and H. pylori, had significantly decreased log telomere length (− 0.30 [95% CI: − 0.36, − 0.24]) compared to those in a latent class characterized by low probabilities of all five infections. There were limited significant associations using other pathogen measures. Conclusions These results suggest that infection with specific combinations of pathogens may be one mechanism contributing to accelerated cellular senescence with possible origins early in the life course.

Stress and telomere shortening: Insights from cellular mechanisms

“…Since then, an explosion of literature has shown associations between telomere length, as measured in the blood, and various human diseases in observational studies, leading to many meta-analyses showing small but consistent correlations. The list includes major diseases such as cardiovascular diseases ( Yeh and Wang, 2016 ), diabetes and metabolic syndrome ( Cheng et al, 2020 ), COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( Birch et al, 2018 ), infection (including COVID-19) ( Noppert et al, 2020 ; Asghar et al, 2018 , 2016 ; Helby et al, 2017 ; Bellon and Nicot, 2017 ; Froidure et al, 2020 ; Sanchez-Vazquez et al, 2021 ), psychological disorders ( Epel and Prather, 2018 ), autoimmune diseases ( Habib et al, 2020 ; Kamycheva et al, 2017 ; Zeng et al, 2020 ), and some types of cancers ( Zhang et al, 2017 ; Zhu et al, 2016 ). Observational studies have been inconsistent with regard to the direction of effect for different types of cancers.…”

Roles for Pathogen Interference in Influenza Vaccination, with Implications to Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) and Attribution of Influenza Deaths

“…They maintain a persistent infection by manipulating diverse aspects of host immune function [ 32 ]. The ensuing background level of multiple layers of immune manipulation have been linked to chronic mental and physical diseases including autoimmunity [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], increased speed of ageing [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], and chronic inflammation [ 42 ]. Pathogen burden is highest among the most disadvantaged social groups [ 43 ]—who also experience lower lifespan.…”

Genetic, Environmental and Lifestyle Determinants of Accelerated Telomere Attrition as Contributors to Risk and Severity of Multiple Sclerosis

“…Recent evidence has suggested that infections with certain combinations of pathogens may decisively contribute to accelerated cellular senescence, possibly beginning early in life. Thus, chronic inflammatory responses secondary to a range of persistent pathogens may have a major impact on markers of cellular aging such as TL [169]. However, the relevance of coinfections and latent pathogen burden in onset and severity of MS remains largely unexplored.…”