WikiBiomeThe human microbiome encyclopediaAn alphabetical index of diseases in the public WikiBiome knowledge base.
The most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated 55 million people worldwide and projected to triple by 2050 zhang 2024 recent advances alzheimers mechanisms trials. Characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, amyloid-beta plaques, and neurofibr…
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, affecting ~280 million people (~4.8% of the world population). They encompass generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias. In the WikiBiome context, anxiety f…
A neurodevelopmental condition affecting approximately 1 in 36 children (US CDC 2023 estimate), characterized by differences in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. From a metallomics perspective, ASD presents a compelling convergence of…
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition in which the normal squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus is replaced by intestinal-type columnar epithelium (intestinal metaplasia). It is the primary risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a cancer w…
Bipolar disorder is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by recurrent episodes of mania (or hypomania) and depression, affecting approximately 1-2.4% of the global population. It carries significant morbidity -- reduced life expectancy by 10-15 years, high…
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with approximately 2.3 million new cases annually. While genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors are well-established risk determinants, the metallomic dimension reveals a consistent pattern of trace element d…
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) -- encompassing atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke -- is the leading cause of death globally. The gut-heart axis has emerged as a central paradigm linking microbial metabo…
Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune condition triggered by dietary gluten (gliadin proteins from wheat, barley, and rye) in genetically susceptible individuals (HLA-DQ2/DQ8, carried by ~30-40% of Europeans but penetrant in only ~1% of carriers). Gluten exposure cause…
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting 2-3 per 1,000 live births allen 2021 multi organ dysfunction cerebral palsy. Characterized by non-progressive disturbances in movement and posture arising from injury to the developing brain…
Cholestasis is the impairment or cessation of bile flow from the liver to the duodenum. It can be intrahepatic (hepatocyte or bile ductule dysfunction) or extrahepatic (mechanical obstruction). Beyond its direct hepatic consequences, cholestasis profoundly disrupts the …
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, disabling condition characterized by profound fatigue not relieved by rest, post-exertional malaise (PEM -- symptom worsening after physical or cognitive exertion), unrefreshing sleep, cognitive d…
A progressive loss of kidney function affecting approximately 850 million people worldwide (10–14% of adults), causing 1.2 million deaths annually. CKD is unique among diseases in this wiki because it occupies both sides of the metal-disease equation: heavy metals (Cd, …
Cirrhosis is end-stage liver fibrosis characterized by nodular regeneration, portal hypertension, and progressive hepatic failure. The gut-liver axis is central: portal venous blood delivers gut-derived LPS, bacterial DNA, and viable bacteria directly to the liver, and …
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death. Over 90% of cases are sporadic, driven by a complex interplay between genetic predisposition, dietary habits, gut microbiome composition, and environmental ex…
Coronary artery disease (CAD) -- the progressive narrowing of coronary arteries by atherosclerotic plaque -- is the single leading cause of death globally, responsible for approximately 9 million deaths annually. CAD encompasses stable angina, unstable angina, and myoca…
A chronic, relapsing-remitting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly affecting the terminal ileum and colon but capable of involving any segment from mouth to anus zhang 2017 intestinal mic…
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, producing defective chloride and bicarbonate transport across epithelial membranes. While the genetic defect affects multiple organ systems, chronic lung infection is the prima…
Depression is the most prevalent mental health disorder globally, affecting over 280 million people zhu 2025 microbiota gut brain axis depression review, and one of the most metal-sensitive conditions in this wiki. It sits at the convergence of nearly every pathway cata…
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is the cutaneous manifestation of celiac disease, presenting as intensely pruritic, grouped vesicles on the elbows, knees, buttocks, and scalp. It is driven by IgA antibodies against epidermal transglutaminase (eTG), the skin homolog of tis…
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), also known as diabetic nephropathy, is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting 30-40% of patients with type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes. DKD is defined by progressive albuminuria, declining glomerular fi…
Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent inflammatory condition affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-age women, characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus colonetti 2023 gut vaginal microbiota endometriosis meta analysis. The c…
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures, affecting ~50 million people worldwide. Approximately 30% of patients have drug-resistant epilepsy -- a population where microbiome-targeted interventions (particularly the ketog…
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects 30-50% of men aged 40-70 Feldman et al. 1994, with prevalence increasing with age. Conventionally understood as a vascular and/or neurogenic disorder, ED is now recognized as a condition with a significant gut microbiome component -- th…
Affects approximately 48 million women worldwide (WHO global infertility prevalence estimates). From a microbiome-metallomics perspective, female infertility sits at the intersection of the estrobolome (microbial estrogen metabolism), heavy metal reproductive toxicity (…
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome affecting 2-4% of the global population Heidari et al. 2017, characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction ("fibro fog"), and sleep disturbances. Conventionally attributed to central sensiti…
The most common malignancy of the stomach, accounting for over 95% of gastric cancers. helicobacter pylori infection is the strongest known risk factor, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC. In the metallomics framework, gastric adenocarcinoma reveals a striking d…
The fifth most common cancer worldwide and third leading cause of cancer death, with over 1 million new cases annually. Gastric cancer stands unique in this wiki as the disease where a single microorganism -- helicobacter pylori -- provides the dominant causal pathway, …
A breach in the gastric mucosal lining extending through the muscularis mucosae, most commonly caused by helicobacter pylori infection or chronic NSAID use. Gastric ulceration represents a critical node in the upper GI disease continuum, linking gerd, chronic gastritis,…
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition in which stomach acid or bile flows back into the esophagus, causing mucosal damage and symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. Affecting approximately 20% of Western populations, GERD is conventionally…
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition of glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, affecting approximately 14% of pregnancies worldwide. It carries risks for both mother and offspring, including increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabete…
Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder characterized by TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) that stimulate the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism kahaly 2022 graves disease targeted therapy review. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, with conc…
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune disease globally and the leading cause of hypothyroidism. Chronic lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland progressively destroys follicular architecture, reducing thyroid hormone output. Prevalence is 5-10…
Hepatitis (liver inflammation) encompasses viral (HBV, HCV, HAV), autoimmune, alcoholic, and toxin-induced forms. In the WikiBiome framework, the gut-liver axis is central — portal blood delivers gut-derived microbial products (LPS, bacterial DNA) directly to the liver …
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts in apocrine gland-bearing skin (axillae, groin, inframammary folds). Long classified as a purely dermatological condition, emerg…
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) causes progressive CD4+ T cell depletion leading to AIDS. In the WikiBiome framework, HIV is notable for the gut-centric model of disease progression: HIV preferentially destroys gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) early in infection…
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the HTT gene, producing mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) with an extended polyglutamine tract. While the genetic cause is well-established, the …
Sustained elevation of systemic blood pressure, affecting an estimated 1.3 billion adults worldwide and the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. The gut microbiome-blood pressure axis has emerged as a major resea…
An umbrella term for chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, principally crohns disease (CD; transmural, any GI segment) and ulcerative colitis (UC; mucosal, colon only). Approximately 6 million patients worldwide. IBD represen…
A functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting 10-15% of the global population, characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits (diarrhea-predominant, constipation-predominant, or mixed) without identifiable structural pathology. From a met…
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), affecting an estimated 10-30% of COVID-19 survivors (WHO and CDC post-acute surveillance estimates) with symptoms persisting 12 weeks. Characterized by fatigue, cognitive dysfunction ("brain fog"), exercise intolerance…
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent depressed mood, anhedonia, and cognitive/somatic symptoms. In the WikiBiome framework, MDD is a paradigm case for the gut brain axis: gut dysbiosis drives systemic inflammation and ne…
Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, often unilateral and pulsatile, accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Affecting over one billion people worldwide, it is the second leading cau…
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with a global prevalence of approximately 2.8 million attfield 2022 immunology ms nature review. The conventional framing centers on genetic susceptibility (HLA-DRB115:0…
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common and lethal gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants, affecting 5-12% of very low birth weight neonates (<1500 g) with mortality rates of 20-30%. Characterized by intestinal inflammation, necrosis, and perforation…
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently reclassified as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), encompasses a spectrum from simple hepatic steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly NASH), fibrosis…
A chronic metabolic condition affecting over 1 billion people globally, characterized by excess adipose tissue accumulation, systemic low-grade inflammation, and gut microbiome disruption pendergrass 2026 heavy metals obesity epidemic. From a metallomics perspective, ob…
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with approximately 314,000 new cases and 207,000 deaths annually worldwide. Its poor prognosis stems largely from late-stage diagnosis (70% at stage III/IV) and the development of chemoresistance. From a metall…
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in Western nations, with rising incidence globally. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for over 90% of cases. Five-year survival remains approximately 12%, owing to late-stage diagnosis, aggressi…
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, occurring in acute (AP) and chronic (CP) forms. Acute pancreatitis ranges from mild self-limiting disease to severe necrotizing pancreatitis with 20-30% mortality. Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer …
The second most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting over 10 million people worldwide dorsey 2018 parkinsons incidence meta analysis. Characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, alpha-synuclein aggregation (Lewy bodies), and…
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an ascending infection of the female upper reproductive tract — uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Traditionally attributed to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, PID is now recognized as predominantly polymicrobial, …
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissues (gingiva, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone) driven by a dysbiotic polymicrobial biofilm in the subgingival pocket. The keystone pathogen is porphyromonas gingivalis, whose zinc-dependent gingi…
Pneumonia is infection of the lung parenchyma, most commonly caused by streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and viruses (influenza, SARS-CoV-2). In the WikiBiome framework, pneumonia exemplifies the metal battleground at the host-path…
A metabolic-endocrine disorder affecting 6-20% of reproductive-age women worldwide, characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and polycystic ovary morphology (Rotterdam criteria) barrea 2019 mediterranean diet pcos. PCOS is the leading cause of anovulatory i…
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10-20% of women after delivery, with profound consequences for maternal health, infant bonding, and child neurodevelopment chao 2025 microbiota gut brain perinatal depression. The standard framing centers on hormonal withdrawal (estro…
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), previously called premature ovarian failure, is the loss of ovarian function before age 40, characterized by elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH 25 IU/L on two occasions), irregular or absent menstruation, and estrogen defic…
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) affects 3-8% of menstruating individuals Epperson et al. 2012, causing severe mood disturbances, irritability, anxiety, and physical symptoms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Distinguished from premenstrual syndrome …
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation, resulting in well-demarcated erythematous plaques with silvery scales. Affecting approximately 2-3% of the global population, psoriasis is now understood …
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetric polyarthritis with progressive joint destruction, affecting approximately 1% of the global population. The conventional framing centers on genetic susceptibility (HLA-DRB1 shar…
A severe neuropsychiatric disorder affecting approximately 1% of the global population, characterized by positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), negative symptoms (anhedonia, social withdrawal, flat affect), and cognitive deficits. Life expectancy is reduced by 1…
Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. In the WikiBiome framework, sepsis represents the catastrophic failure of both colonization resistance (pathogen invasion) and nutritional immunity (metal restriction). Inf…
Tuberculosis is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, an intracellular pathogen that survives inside macrophage phagosomes. In the WikiBiome framework, TB exemplifies the intracellular metal battleground: M. tuberculosis deploys mycobactins (lipophilic siderophores) and…
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans leads to lifelong insulin dependence. T1D is fundamentally distinct from type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insul…
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and progressive beta-cell dysfunction, affecting over 500 million people worldwide (IDF Diabetes Atlas 2021). The conventional framing centers on caloric excess and sedentary behavior. The …
A chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation of the colon, extending proximally from the rectum. Unlike crohns disease, UC is limited to the colon, affects only the mucosa/submucosa (not transmural), produces no skip lesions, and…