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home:alternate:autoimmunity [09.09.2012] – [Patients without autoimmune disease have autoantibodies during infection] paulalbert | home:alternate:autoimmunity [03.27.2016] – [Evolutionary challenge] typo sallieq | ||
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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. |