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Infections, Autoimmunity, and Behçet’s Syndrome: What Liaison?

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Behçet's Syndrome

Part of the book series: Rare Diseases of the Immune System ((RDIS))

Abstract

During the course of evolution, the immune system had to continuously shape and refine its mechanisms of defense against pathogens. In response to different microorganisms, specialized types of specific responses allow the recognition and elimination of infectious agents. All individuals harbor autoreactive T cells that need activation and critical expansion in order to start active autoimmune disease. In a number of human diseases and in their corresponding experimental animal models, it has been suggested that pathogens can induce disease through autoimmune mechanisms. In this chapter, we will focus our attention to the basis of the host immune response, the mechanisms of autoimmunity, and to the link between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric autoimmunity, the relevance of Chlamydophila pneumoniae and inflammation in atherosclerosis, the role of Th17 responses in Lyme arthritis, as well as the link between Behçet’s syndrome and infections.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the unlimited support given to our studies by Associazione Italiana Sindrome e Malattia di Behçet (SIMBA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Mario Milco D’Elios, Marisa Benagiano, Amedeo Amedei & Giacomo Emmi

  2. SOD Patologia Medica, Center for Autoimmune Systemic Diseases—Behçet, Center and Lupus Clinic—AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy

    Mario Milco D’Elios & Amedeo Amedei

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  1. Mario Milco D’Elios
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  2. Marisa Benagiano
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  3. Amedeo Amedei
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  4. Giacomo Emmi
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Correspondence to Mario Milco D’Elios .

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  1. SOD Patologia Medica, Center for Autoimmune Systemic Diseases, Behçet Center and Lupus Clinic - AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy

    Lorenzo Emmi

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D’Elios, M.M., Benagiano, M., Amedei, A., Emmi, G. (2014). Infections, Autoimmunity, and Behçet’s Syndrome: What Liaison?. In: Emmi, L. (eds) Behçet's Syndrome. Rare Diseases of the Immune System. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5477-6_5

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