title: Vaccination and autoimmune disease: what is the evidence?
abstract: As many as one in 20 people in Europe and North America have some form of autoimmune disease. These diseases arise in genetically predisposed individuals but require an environmental trigger. Of the many potential environmental factors, infections are the most likely cause. Microbial antigens can induce cross-reactive immune responses against self-antigens, whereas infections can non-specifically enhance their presentation to the immune system. The immune system uses fail-safe mechanisms to suppress infection-associated tissue damage and thus limits autoimmune responses. The association between infection and autoimmune disease has, however, stimulated a debate as to whether such diseases might also be triggered by vaccines. Indeed there are numerous claims and counter claims relating to such a risk. Here we review the mechanisms involved in the induction of autoimmunity and assess the implications for vaccination in human beings.
authors: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. d.c.wraith@bris.ac.uk
authors: David C
authors: DC
authors: Wraith
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Goldman
authors: Paul-Henri
authors: PH
authors: Lambert
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D012306:Risk; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines