Viral studies in rheumatic disease.
Rheumatic disease has long been thought to represent an interaction between environmental agents on a background of genetic susceptibility. In this review herpesviruses and retroviruses are considered as possible aetiological agents in autoimmune disease with a particular emphasis on Sjögren's syndrome. A possible role for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is reviewed. We conclude that there is no compelling evidence for the involvement of any of these herpesviruses. Retroviruses, however, are attracting increasing interest. In Man, both Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infections cause autoimmune phenomena, including Sjögren's syndrome and arthritis in a minority of infected individuals. Similar reactions to retroviral infection are also seen in animal models. A possible role for the newly described human retrovirus-5 (HRV-5) is discussed, though current evidence does not support a role in Sjögren's syndrome. Other autoimmune diseases are under investigation.
Cooke
S P
SP
Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, 1 Aspenlea Road, Hammersmith, W6 8LH London, UK.
Rigby
S P
SP
Griffiths
D J
DJ
Venables
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*