Viral infections: their elusive role in regulating susceptibility to autoimmune disease.

Department of Medicine, The Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. malin.flodström-tullberg@medhs.ki.se

Viral infections may trigger autoimmune disease. Complicating our understanding of how viral infections promote disease is the realization that viral infections can sometimes prevent auto-aggressive reactions. Here, we will discuss recent findings that provide insights into how viral infections may alter susceptibility to autoimmunity.

PMID: 12919859 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]