Archive for the ‘autoimmune’ tag
Is M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) the cause of multiple “autoimmune” and “inflammatory” diseases in man? Inferences from the anti-MAP activity of methotrexate, 6-MP, 5-ASA and thalidomide, on MAP in culture.
Another piece of research which establishes the anti-paratuberculosis antibiotic activity of molecules which are currently thought to have an immuno-suppressant effect in Crohn’s Disease.
News: Drug May Save Sight in Behcet’s Disease Patients
Behcet’s disease is a disease that can be confused with Crohn’s Disease, since it exhibits a spectrum of symptoms which overlaps with the spectrum of symptoms displayed in CD.
Check the references below.
The bit I find most interesting is the reliance on human opinion and experience to differentiate between the diseases. The reason for this is because we’re dealing with diseases that are classified by the damage that results from having them, not by what causes them.
Are all diseases infectious?
I came across an interesting article, published by the American College of Physicians. It discusses the topic of “autoimmune” diseases, and how many diseases originally thought to be autoimmune diseases are really infectious diseases. IBD is discussed in brief, with reference to both mycobacterial infection and measles infection.
You can read it at
http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/15nov96/infdis.htm
It provides a good overview of medical opinions on many illnesses are changing.