Immunologic aspects of vasculitis and cardiovascular disease

Article Abstract:

Immunologic processes may contribute to the development of some cardiac and vascular inflammatory diseases. Inflammation of the heart, called carditis, may follow infection, trauma, or other disease. Acute rheumatic fever may be precipitated by heart muscle, joint and nerve damage caused by antibodies against streptococcal bacteria. Immune-mediated damage to blood vessel walls may cause blood vessel inflammation, as seen in giant-cell arteritis and systemic necrotizing vasculitis. Autoimmune responses and inflammation may contribute to plaque formation and reduced blood flow in atherosclerotic heart disease.

Author: Ledford, Dennis K.
Vasculitis, Rheumatic fever, Arteritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Kawasaki disease, Kawasaki syndrome

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Immunologic aspects of renal disease

Article Abstract:

Immunologic disorders can damage the kidney by a number of pathologic mechanisms. Goodpasture syndrome is caused by an immune attack on membranes in the kidney, possibly initiated by injury from chemical exposure. Immune complexes may become trapped in the kidneys in systemic lupus erythematosus, which may lead to kidney failure. Inflammation of small vessels in Wegener granulomatosis is a result of initial inflammation in the lungs. The scarring and impaired blood flow in the kidneys in some cases of scleroderma is caused by an antigen-antibody reaction that affects multiple organs.

Author: Ambrus, Julian L., Jr., Sridhar, Nagaraja R.
Physiological aspects, Kidney diseases, Glomerulonephritis

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Subjects list: Analysis
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