Immunologic aspects of neurologic and neuromuscular diseases

Article Abstract:

An immune response against normal body cells plays a part in some neurologic and neuromuscular diseases. Such autoimmune responses may follow infection and lead to inflammatory muscle diseases. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease in which muscle weakness is caused by antibodies against neurotransmitter receptors. Immune-mediated destruction of the myelin nerve sheath causes disabilities in Guillain-Barre syndrome and multiple sclerosis. These represent a breakdown in immune tolerance, the characteristic of the normal immune system to recognize and ignore its host while attacking invaders.

Author: Weiner, Howard L., Smith, Derek R.
Publisher: American Medical Association
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis

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Immunologic aspects of lung diseases and cystic fibrosis

Article Abstract:

Immunologic processes characterize or contribute to a number of lung diseases. Lung infection with the fungus Aspergillus can produce asthma and airway widening along with elevated antibodies in the blood. Allergens, chemicals, and pathogens can produce eosinophilia, an increase in blood levels of a particular white blood cell, in the lungs in some pneumonias. Immune complexes in the blood seem to be related in some types of pulmonary fibrosis, where the lung becomes inflamed and scarred. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic and immune defect that causes accumulation of lung mucus.

Author: Greenberger, Paul A.
Publisher: American Medical Association
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
Cystic fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary fibrosis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Extrinsic allergic alveolitis, Pulmonary aspergillosis

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Subjects list: Analysis
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