Cell wall-deficient (CWD) bacterial pathogens: could amylotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) be due to one?
Recently, a number of diseases that had been thought previously to be caused by something other than an infectious agent are now known to be caused by bacteria. It now appears that it is not uncommon that bacteria, viruses, or fungi can cause diseases even when these organisms have not been detected or cultured. The most recent, well-publicized case is that of stomach ulcers; these are largely due to Helicobacter pylori infections. Here, the possibility is explored that amylotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by a cell wall-deficient microorganism.
Koch
Arthur L
AL
Biology Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-6801, USA. koch@Indiana.edu
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000382:microbiology; D007313:Insecta / Q000382:microbiology; D007740:L Forms / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology*; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D013144:Spirochaetales / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents