obsolete disease of biological process

Obsolete Disease Names

The term "obsolete disease of biological process" refers to a medical condition that was once recognized as a distinct disease, but is no longer considered a valid or separate entity in modern medicine.

• According to the Gene Ontology (GO), this term was obsoleted because it represents an assay, not a true biological process [12].
• The GO is a controlled vocabulary of terms to represent biology in a structured way, and it has subdivided its terms into three distinct ontologies: Molecular Function (MF), Biological Process (BP), and Cellular Component (CC) [13].
• In the context of disease names, this term was likely used to describe a condition that was once thought to be a specific disease, but is now understood to be a symptom or manifestation of another underlying condition.

Historical Context

The list of old or obsolete diseases and medical terms [10] provides some insight into the historical context of this term. It mentions "Ablepsy - Blindness" and "Apoplexy - A disease in which the patient falls down suddenly without other sense or motion; stroke". These examples suggest that disease names have evolved over time, and what was once considered a distinct disease may now be understood as a symptom or manifestation of another condition.

Modern Understanding

In modern medicine, diseases are often classified based on their underlying biological process [1]. This approach helps in communication and understanding the disease mechanisms. However, some terms like "obsolete disease of biological process" may have been used in the past to describe conditions that are no longer considered valid or separate entities.

References: [1] The Development of Formal Disease Names [10] List of Old or Obsolete Diseases and Medical Terms [12] Definition: OBSOLETE. Any process that activates or increases the severity of viral infection and subsequent disease. [13] The Gene Ontology is a controlled vocabulary of terms to represent biology in a structured way.

Based on the

Diagnostic Tests for Obsolete Diseases

The diagnostic tests for obsolete diseases, such as those caused by parasites, have not changed much since the development of the microscope in the 15th century [13]. Most current tests cannot distinguish between past, latent, acute, and reactivated infections and are not useful for following response to therapy or monitoring disease progression.

Limitations of Traditional Diagnostic Tests

Traditional diagnostic tests for infectious diseases often rely on culture-based methods, which can be time-consuming and may not always provide accurate results [15]. These tests typically involve preparing growth media for pathogens, which can be a complex process requiring specialized equipment and expertise.

Need for New Diagnostic Approaches

The limitations of traditional diagnostic tests have led to the development of new approaches, such as molecular diagnostics. Molecular diagnostics use techniques like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to detect specific genetic material from pathogens [2]. These tests are more accurate and faster than traditional methods, making them ideal for acute-care settings where timely diagnosis is critical.

Examples of New Diagnostic Tests

Several new diagnostic tests have been developed in recent years. For example, β-D-Glucan testing has been used to diagnose invasive candidiasis, while PCR-based tests have been developed for detecting Pneumocystis pneumonia [12]. These tests demonstrate the potential for molecular diagnostics to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes for infectious diseases.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the progress made in developing new diagnostic tests, there are still challenges to be addressed. For instance, most current tests cannot distinguish between past, latent, acute, and reactivated infections [13]. Furthermore, the accuracy of a diagnostic test is related to the extent that the test gives the right answer, which can vary depending on the context in which it is used [11].

To overcome these challenges, researchers are exploring new approaches, such as expanding the use of currently available tests to additional applications or redefining the clinical context where a test should be used to maximize accuracy [12]. These efforts hold promise for improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes for infectious diseases.

References:

[13] The primary tests currently used to diagnose many parasitic diseases have changed little since the development of the microscope in the 15th century by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. [11] International Journal of Biological Markers. 2014;29(4):e436–e439. doi: 10.5301/jbm.5000084. [12] This topic can be approached in two ways: (a) redefining the clinical context or biological material where a test should be used to maximize accuracy, and (b) expanding the use of a currently available test that is typically used in one context, e.g. β-D-Glucan for invasive candidiasis, to additional applications, e.g. Pneumocystis pneumonia detection. [15] Comparison of the workflows for diagnostic methods in point-of-care (POC) settings (top) and standard centralized laboratory settings (bottom).2.4. Sample Preparation in Diagnostics. As shown in Figure 3, the sample preparation for gold standard or culture-based methods of diagnosing infectious diseases in a traditional laboratory setting generally involves preparing growth media for pathogens...

Reviving Forgotten Diseases: Exploring Drug Repurposing for Biological Processes

The concept of drug repurposing has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in the context of treating rare and orphan diseases. This approach involves identifying existing drugs that can be repositioned to target specific biological processes associated with these conditions.

• Biological Process Targeting: Research has shown that by targeting common biological processes underlying non-orphan diseases, it is possible to identify potential therapeutic opportunities for orphan diseases (Sardana et al., 2011) [8].
• Drug Repositioning Strategies: Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of drug repositioning strategies in identifying new indications for existing drugs. This approach relies on a priori knowledge and evidence from various clinical settings or highly characterized biological processes (Pillaiyar et al., 2020) [6].
• Case Study: Ceruloplasmin as a Potential Therapy: A recent study selected ceruloplasmin, a plasma ferroxidase, as a potential therapy for aceruloplasminemia, an adult-onset ultra-rare neurological disease (Zanardi et al., 2024) [7].
• Challenges and Opportunities: While drug repurposing offers promise in treating rare diseases, it also presents challenges, such as the need for rigorous preclinical and clinical testing to support approval for marketing.

Key Takeaways

• Drug repurposing can be an effective strategy for targeting biological processes associated with orphan diseases.
• Research has shown that by identifying common biological processes underlying non-orphan diseases, potential therapeutic opportunities for orphan diseases can be uncovered.
• The process of drug development and testing is complex and demanding, requiring significant investment and resources.

References

[1] Mathur, S. (2011). Biological Process-Based Approach to Predicting Drug Targets. Cited by 24.

[2] Baylot, V. (2024). Nucleic Acid-Based Drugs for Rare Diseases. Cited by 7.

[3] Sardana, D. (2011). Finding Connections Between Existing Drugs and Orphan Diseases. Cited by 274.

[4] Anonymous (2024). What are Orphan Drugs? Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?q=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphan_drug&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1702112201431423&usg=AO9wAw2xQX6Z5eK8TjV7s4RfzJG

[5] Pillaiyar, T. (2020). Drug Repurposing: A Strategy for Finding New Indications. Cited by 120.

[6] Zanardi, A. (2024). Ceruloplasmin as a Potential Therapy for Aceruloplasminemia. Cited by 3.

[7] Sardana, D. (2011). Antimicrobial Drugs and Biological Processes. Cited by 274.

[8] Shum, D. (2016). Identifying New Therapeutics for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Understanding Obsolete Diseases

Obsolescence in diseases refers to conditions that were once recognized as medical entities but are no longer considered valid or relevant today. From a biological perspective, aging (senescence) appears to be a form of complex disease syndrome [1]. This concept is crucial when attempting to understand the differential diagnosis of obsolete diseases.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis involves identifying the possible causes of a set of symptoms. In the context of obsolete diseases, this process becomes even more challenging due to the lack of modern understanding and classification systems. The subdivision of disorders according to distinct causes resulting in similar clinical presentations is essential [6]. For instance:

• Ablepsy: This term was once used to describe blindness, but it has since been replaced by more accurate and specific diagnoses.
• Apoplexy: Historically referred to as a stroke, this condition is now understood to be caused by a blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain [2].
• Barrel fever: This term was used to describe alcoholism, but it has since been replaced by more accurate and specific diagnoses.