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The relationship of infectious agents to inflammatory myositis
1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Abstract:
Several infectious agents have been linked to chronic inflammatory myositis. The mechanisms proposed usually involve presumed persistent infection or induction of an autoimmune response following infection. Agents most often implicated are the enteroviruses (especially coxsackieviruses), echoviruses in patients with agammaglobulinemia, retroviruses including HIV-type 1 and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, and the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In the majority of cases, however, no specific infectious agent can be identified.
Insights
Infectious agents like enteroviruses and retroviruses are linked to chronic inflammatory myositis. However, a specific cause often remains unidentified in many cases.
Area of Science:
- Infectious diseases
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory myositis can be associated with various infectious agents.
- Proposed mechanisms include persistent infection or post-infectious autoimmune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review infectious agents implicated in chronic inflammatory myositis.
- To discuss the proposed mechanisms linking infection and myositis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on infectious agents and myositis.
- Analysis of proposed pathogenetic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Enteroviruses, retroviruses (HIV-1, HTLV-1), and Toxoplasma gondii are frequently implicated.
- Enteroviruses and echoviruses are noted in patients with agammaglobulinemia.
- A specific infectious agent is not identified in the majority of cases.
Conclusions:
- Infectious agents are potential triggers for chronic inflammatory myositis.
- The precise causative agent is often elusive, despite proposed links.