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home:alternate:autoimmunity [09.09.2012] – [Autoimmune patients show signs of being immunocompromised] paulalbert | home:alternate:autoimmunity [10.13.2018] – [Rethinking autoimmunity] sallieq | ||
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===== Autoimmune patients show signs of being immunocompromised ===== | ===== Autoimmune patients show signs of being immunocompromised ===== | ||
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Autoantibodies have been detected in patients without autoimmune disease during periods of infection. Berlin et al. collected sera from 88 patients with acute infections (41 bacterial, 23 viral, 17 parasitic, and 7 rikettsial.(({{pubmed> | Autoantibodies have been detected in patients without autoimmune disease during periods of infection. Berlin et al. collected sera from 88 patients with acute infections (41 bacterial, 23 viral, 17 parasitic, and 7 rikettsial.(({{pubmed> | ||
- | An increasing number of studies also show that what are currently perceived as autoantibodies can often be detected in so called healthy individuals years before the full presentation of an autoimmune disease state. Many researchers now espouse that early detection of these antibodies can help predict whether or not such a " | + | |
+ | An increasing number of studies also show that what are currently perceived as autoantibodies can often be detected in so called healthy individuals years before the full presentation of an autoimmune disease state. | ||
Another recent study of blood from 441 healthy Portuguese blood-donors found autoantibodies for rheumatoid factor, anti cyclic citrunillated peptides, anti-mitochondria, | Another recent study of blood from 441 healthy Portuguese blood-donors found autoantibodies for rheumatoid factor, anti cyclic citrunillated peptides, anti-mitochondria, | ||
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The concept of autoimmune disease has progressed to the point that now even researchers who previously dismissed the possibility of infection are accepting the possibility that “autoimmune” disease could be triggered by infection. This is some progress, but it’s not enough. Especially since the concept of autoimmunity encourages doctors to prescribe immunosuppressive steroids to patients. But if persistent infection is involved these steroids may exacerbate the fire by allowing pathogens to spread. | The concept of autoimmune disease has progressed to the point that now even researchers who previously dismissed the possibility of infection are accepting the possibility that “autoimmune” disease could be triggered by infection. This is some progress, but it’s not enough. Especially since the concept of autoimmunity encourages doctors to prescribe immunosuppressive steroids to patients. But if persistent infection is involved these steroids may exacerbate the fire by allowing pathogens to spread. | ||
- | //**Paul Ewald**, [[http:// | + | //**Paul Ewald**, [[http:// |
To think that autoimmune disease is caused by an interaction between the environment and human genetics, as a number of commentators have, is only marginally more plausible. Evolutionary theory is clear that any kind of consistent reproductive disadvantage is consistently and ultimately weeded out of the population. | To think that autoimmune disease is caused by an interaction between the environment and human genetics, as a number of commentators have, is only marginally more plausible. Evolutionary theory is clear that any kind of consistent reproductive disadvantage is consistently and ultimately weeded out of the population. | ||
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===== Notes and comments ===== | ===== Notes and comments ===== |