Seropositivity for pathogens associated with chronic infections is a risk factor for all-cause mortality in the elderly: findings from the Memory and Morbidity in Augsburg Elderly (MEMO) Study

We examined the effect of a positive serostatus at baseline for selected pathogens associated with chronic infections (Helicobacter pylori,Borrelia burgdorferi sensulato,Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus 1/2, and human herpesvirus 6) on all-cause mortality with multivariable parametric survival models. We found a reduced survival time in individuals with a positive serostatus forHelicobacter pylori (accelerated failure time (AFT) − 15.92, 95% CI − 29.96; − 1.88), cytomegalovirus (AFT − 22.81, 95% CI − 36.41; − 9.22) andBorrelia burgdorferi sensulato (AFT − 25.25, 95% CI − 43.40; − 7.10), after adjusting for potential confounders. The number of infectious agents an individual was seropositive for had a linear effect on all-cause mortality (AFT per additional infection − 12.42 95% CI − 18.55; − 6.30). Our results suggest an eff ect of seropositivity forHelicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, andBorrelia burgdorferi sensulato on all-cause mortality in older community dwelling individuals. Further research with larger cohorts and additional biomarkers is required, to assess mediators and molecular pathways of this effect.
Source: AGE - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research