Nanobacteria

Sometimes I feel very out-of-the-loop: heard the term "nanobacteria" for the first time ever today on NPR, denoting tiny particles that may or may not be lifeforms that populate other larger lifeforms and are possible causative agents for disease. They've been studied for over a decade, but still with much debate as to their true nature.

A few websites with further info:

Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanobacterium

...and some more skeptical viewpoints:

http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.0030055

http://www.physorg.com/news128167633.html

http://www.drcranton.com/nanobacteria.htm