Microbial Clock of Humans
by Dr. Kenneth Alibek and Albina Tskhay
The 19th and 20th centuries are marked by a gradual increase in human life expectancy. Despite the large number of discoveries and developments that helped save many lives, during this period there were four major breakthroughs in medicine which played a leading role in increasing life expectancy at the population level. All these breakthroughs were associated with the fight against infections: sanitary revolution, the germ’s theory revolution, vaccination revolution and antibiotics revolution.
Today, the main causes of death are cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, oncological and other non-infectious chronic diseases. Constantly accumulating experimental data show the significant role of some microorganisms in the etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases. These microorganisms, with the ability to persist in the human body, can serve as a trigger for chronic oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, participate in the reduction of telomeres, etc.
A deeper understanding of their role in mechanisms of the initiation and promotion of many traditionally considered non-infectious diseases can contribute to the development of diagnostic, prophylactic and treatment methods and will allow to take the next step in further increasing the human lifespan.
