Bacteriophages are Potential New Human Pathogens

Human Microbiology Institute Research the First to Demonstrate that Amyloid-producing Bacteria and Bacteriophages Can Trigger Type 1 Diabetes

Research was presented at the 5th Annual Translational Microbiome Conference 2019

Boston, MA, April 17, 2019 — Human Microbiology Institute (HMI), a not-for-profit scientific research organization, today presented data that demonstrate for the first time how microbiome can trigger type 1 diabetes. The study, conducted by Drs. V. and G. Tetz, was presented by Dr. G. Tetz in an oral session at 5th Annual Translational Microbiome Conference , April 16–18, 2019, in Boston.

“This study for the first time suggests that amyloid-producing E. coli, their phages, and bacteria-derived amyloid might be involved in pro-diabetic pathway activation in children at risk for T1D” said George Tetz, MD, Ph.D., director, Human Microbiology Institute. “This study was designed to further investigate the potential impact of amyloid-producing bacteria and bacteriophages on the gut microbiome that may result in triggering autoimmunity in susceptible chuldren”.

Human Microbiology Institute presented the unique Primary Prevention Therapeutic Programs and First Pre-Autoantibody Biomarker based on association between autoimmunity and dynamics of certain microorganisms to predic future diabtetic patients.

Based on our discovery we are introducing the first  microbiome-phagobiome-based, genetic PREDICTIVE test to determine if a patient will develop T1D long before seroconversion and before the appearance of autoantibodies.

Today the diagnosis of T1D is made when a patient already has clinical symptoms or when seroconversion occurrs. Both these conditions mean that the patient already has an irreversible pancreatic damage. The strongest genetic susceptibility for T1D is known for HLA gene;  however, only about 5 % of individuals with  high-risk HLA genes  go on to develop T1D, so HLA does not have  sufficient  positive predictive value when used alone to assess risk for T1D.

What’s absolutely unique about our TL test is that it will identify those who will develop T1D before seroconversion or symptoms occur. Unlike all other existing tests, the TL will evaluate future diabetic patients long before the onset of autoimmunity.