1. Cryptic infection and autoimmunity
- Author
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Pleister, Adam and Eckels, David D.
- Subjects
- *
INFECTION , *AUTOIMMUNITY , *PATHOGENIC microorganisms , *ANTIGENS - Abstract
Infection as an environmental factor in autoimmunity has long been recognized. Numerous examples can be found in which pathogens express antigens that cross-react with host antigens or induce local inflammatory responses that can lead to autoimmune responses through a very complex set of circumstances. Borrowing from the relationship between chronic infection with hepatitis C virus and autoimmune hepatitis as an example, we consider the possibility that infection with an unknown virus having specific tissue tropism could lead to a perceived autoimmune process. We raise the question whether such should be considered for Type 1 diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2003
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