title: [Autoimmune diseases].
abstract: The etiology and pathogenesis of so-called autoimmune diseases are only known in rare examples. This speculative review argues that autoimmune diseases, particularly those mediated by, or dependent upon T cells may represent immunopathologies triggered by unrecognized infectious agents. Accordingly, when the etiologic agent is recognized, we call the ensuing disease immunopathological, where it is not known the disease is called autoimmune.
authors.affiliation: Departement Pathologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zinkernagel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens
vernacular_title: Autoimmunkrankheiten.