Microbial antigen treatment in sarcoidosis--a new paradigm?
Increasing evidence suggests that the risk for sarcoidosis is related to exposure to microbes, particularly molds. Microbial cell wall agents, even in the absence of clinical infection, could cause a late hypersensitivity reaction leading to the formation of granulomas. A few interventions studies using antimicrobial treatment demonstrate improvement in sarcoidosis. It is suggested that diagnostic tools for the presence of microbes are used in patients with sarcoidosis and that antimicrobial treatment is considered in cases resistant to corticosteroids.
Tercelj
Marjeta
M
Unit of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia. marjeta.tercelj@kclj.si
Salobir
Barbara
B
Rylander
Ragnar
R
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004777:Environment; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial