Molecular Mimicry, the Hygiene Hypothesis, Stealth Infections and Other Examples of Disconnect between Medical Research and the Practice of Clinical Medicine in Autoimmune Disease
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Authors
Brady, David M.
Issue Date
2013-02
Type
Article
Language
Keywords
Autoimmune disease , Inflammation , Arthritis , Mimicry , Hygiene
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
Autoimmune disorders have been on a steep rise in the industrialized countries over the past several decades and while research has been starting to develop a detailed understanding of pathophysiology and many of the underlying mechanisms, any meaningful incorporation of this information into clinical medicine has been painfully slow. Concepts of molecular mimicry, the hygiene hypothesis, intestinal hyper-permeability (leaky gut syndrome) and aggressive use of predictive antibody testing are explored in this article with examples given on how emerging information on these phenomena may aid the clinician in a new, more proactive, approach to management of these conditions.
Citation
Brady DM. Molecular Mimicry, the Hygiene Hypothesis, Stealth Infections and Other Examples of Disconnect between Medical Research and the Practice of Clinical Medicine in Autoimmune Disease. Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases. 2013; 3(1): 33-39. doi: 10.4236/ojra.2013.31007.