Exploring the Link Between Infectious Diseases and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
RetourResearchers from the BPH – LEHA team have conducted a scoping review, published in Ophthalmology Science, to investigate the potential role of infectious agents in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
After screening over 800 articles, we included 40 studies spanning human data, animal research, in vitro experiments, and theoretical hypotheses.
Our review examines a wide array of infectious agents, including microbiota (nasal and pharyngeal), eight bacterial species, six viruses, and one yeast.
However, most studies are limited in scope or remain preliminary, reflecting a wide but underexplored range of possible interactions between infections and AMD (Fig 1).
Figure 1. Several studies suggest a potential involvement of infectious agents in the development of AMD-related lesions.
While the current evidence is insufficient to establish a definitive connection, we highlight the potential influence of infections on AMD and identify critical directions for future research to address existing knowledge gaps.
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Scientific publication
Larsen PP, Dinet V, Delcourt C, Helmer C, Linard M. Ophthalmol Sci. 2025