Systemic and local lymph node inflammation in sarcoidosis patients in the absence of microbial triggers
Sarcoidosis is a chronic immune disease characterized by the presence of granulomas. Previous studies, have demonstrated that sarcoidosis patients exhibit a systemic inflammatory profile both several years prior to diagnosis and at disease onset.  Cytokines and chemokines included in this inflammatory signature are known to be involved in the formation of the granuloma. However, the causal agent that initiates the granulomatous inflammatory response in sarcoidosis remains subject to intense debate, especially regarding microorganisms.