Any evidence bacteria can exist within mitochondria in humans?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the claim that bacteria can exist within human mitochondria, particularly pathogenic bacteria linked to various diseases. Initial searches reveal limited evidence, primarily noting that such occurrences have only been documented in ticks, specifically the Ixodes ricinus, which harbors an intracellular bacterium capable of entering mitochondria. Other species, like Spirostomium minus, were also mentioned but are not related to humans. The claim regarding pathogenic bacteria in human mitochondria is considered dubious, with no substantial evidence found to support it. Overall, the conversation emphasizes skepticism about the validity of the claim and highlights the lack of research connecting bacteria within human mitochondria to disease.
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Ryan_m_b said:
A quick pubmed search suggests this has only been found in ticks: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17082386/

nih.gov/m/pubmed/17082386 said:
... An intracellular bacterium with the unique ability to enter mitochondria exists in the European vector of Lyme disease, the hard tick Ixodes ricinus.
Thanks Ryan. According to my one hit on Google the tick is not a "unique" case :
the other species mentioned was "spirostomium minus", a single-celled thingy. [ published in 2003 ].

The claim I heard was pathogenic bacteria exist in human mitochondria, (not symbiotic as in the tick) , and that these alleged bacteria are responsible for wide range of diseases.
IMO the source of this claim was very dubious , but I just wanted to check if there was any evidence to support their claim.
 
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