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Review
. 2023 Mar 16;13(3):805.
doi: 10.3390/life13030805.

Infectious Microorganisms Seen as Etiologic Agents in Parkinson's Disease

Stuparu Alina Zorina  1   2 , Sanda Jurja  3   4 , Mihaela Mehedinti  5 , Ana-Maria Stoica  3   4 , Dana Simona Chita  6 , Stuparu Alexandru Floris  7 , Any Axelerad  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Infectious Microorganisms Seen as Etiologic Agents in Parkinson's Disease

Stuparu Alina Zorina et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

Infections represent a possible risk factor for parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease (PD) based on information from epidemiology and fundamental science. The risk is unclear for the majority of agents. Moreover, the latency between infection and PD seems to be very varied and often lengthy. In this review, the evidence supporting the potential involvement of infectious microorganisms in the development of Parkinson's disease is examined. Consequently, it is crucial to determine the cause and give additional treatment accordingly. Infection is an intriguing suggestion regarding the cause of Parkinson's disease. These findings demonstrate that persistent infection with viral and bacterial microorganisms might be a cause of Parkinson's disease. As an initiating factor, infection may generate a spectrum of gut microbiota dysbiosis, engagement of glial tissues, neuroinflammation, and alpha-synuclein accumulation, all of which may trigger and worsen the onset in Parkinson's disease also contribute to its progression. Still uncertain is the primary etiology of PD with infection. The possible pathophysiology of PD infection remains a matter of debate. Furthermore, additional study is required to determine if PD patients develop the disease due to infectious microorganisms or solely since they are more sensitive to infectious causes.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; bacteria; neuroinflammation; pathogens; virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The pathogens implicated in the development of PD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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