Hidden infections seem to accelerate the aging process by chromosome ends, called telomeres shortened more quickly than normal. Telomeres protect the genetic material during cell division and has great significance for aging.
Researchers in Lund has for 25 years been studying malaria infected reed warbler that nests in summer at the lake Kvismaren in Närke and wintering in tropical Africa. Although the disease has not shown any symptoms, they found that infected birds’ lifespan was shortened by one third compared with fully healthy birds.
– Everything points to a hidden infection also shortens human lifespan. We can, conversely, that we have become healthier and living longer, says Hasselquist.
Shorter life means that malaria infected reed warbler get half as many kids as healthy. But otherwise portrays himself lives just like in the other.
Dennis Hasselquist:
– Infected males sing just as much, 21 hours a day, as uninfected. And infected females feed their young as intense as the healthy.
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