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Review
. 2019 Nov;158(3):153-160.
doi: 10.1111/imm.13103. Epub 2019 Aug 30.

Infectious processes and systemic lupus erythematosus

Rebeca Illescas-Montes  1   2 , Claudia Cristina Corona-Castro  3 , Lucia Melguizo-Rodríguez  1   2 , Concepción Ruiz  1   2   4 , Víctor J Costela-Ruiz  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Infectious processes and systemic lupus erythematosus

Rebeca Illescas-Montes et al. Immunology. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, although genetic and environmental factors appear to contribute to its pathogenesis. Specifically, infectious processes are associated with SLE onset and exacerbation. However, we are far from a complete understanding of the interactions between infectious agents and the host, explaining the interest in gathering updated scientific information on this topic. According to the literature, the pathogens most frequently associated with SLE are viruses, notably human endogenous retroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1, alongside certain bacterial components that can also trigger activation of the immune system. The mechanisms underlying autoreactivity remain unclear but various explanations have been proposed, including immunological changes responsible for infectious processes or molecular mimicry between host structures and those of infectious agents.

Keywords: bacteria; etiology; infection; systemic lupus erythematosus; virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not‐for‐profit sectors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association of systemic lupus erythematosus and the infectious agents.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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