Autoimmune diseases are an ever-growing problem for patients as well as for the economy.
It has been estimated that 5–10% of the general population suffer from any kind of …

For many readers, the title 'pathogen infection and autoimmune disease'might suggest that
pathogens are the suspected drivers of autoimmune disease. This, of course, is a perfectly …

Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system recognizes and attacks host tissue. In
addition to genetic factors, environmental triggers (in particular viruses, bacteria and other …

The autoimmune diseases result from inappropriate responses of the immune system to self
antigens. The etiology of autoimmune diseases remains largely unknown but candidate …

The studies summarized in this chapter indicate that chronic bacterial, viral, and parasitic
infections can serve as a trigger factor of autoimmune reactivity according to various …

The relationship between infections and autoimmunity as well as the risk of infections due to
antirheumatic agents, including corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and biologics, are …

Hypothesized on an epidemiological basis soon after the discovery of autoimmunity,
microbial triggering of autoimmune diseases is a complex and, despite the great efforts …

Most infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, can trigger autoimmunity via
different mechanisms. The development of an autoimmune disorder after infection tends to …

The core function of the immune system is to protect against infection. As the number of
existing and potential infectious agents is almost limitless, the immune system requires a …

The world incidence and prevalence of autoimmune diseases are constantly increasing,
especially in industrialized countries. Autoimmunity can be induced or triggered by many …