Immunological features of diffuse connective tissue diseases.
Diffuse connective tissue diseases (DCTD) represent an heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by systemic inflammatory reactions that are currently classified on clinical grounds. Their aetiopathogenesis is largely unknown and appears to be very complex, associating exogenous factors with an immunogenetic predisposition. In the last decade, studies on human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-disease associations and antinuclear antibodies have provided some useful clues for the diagnosis and clinical management of DCTD.
Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Pavia, Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
G R
GR
Burgio
A
A
Martini
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006680:HLA Antigens