title: Role of human parvovirus B19 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin. It has been speculated that infectious agents are responsible for triggering RA. Persistent infection with human parvovirus B19 and its induction of immunopathology are hypothesized to explain the initiation and perpetuation of the disease process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. ishii-k@mail.cc.tohoku.ac.jp
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaku
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasaki
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000821:virology