Molecular mimicry of bacteria as a factor in bacterial pathogenicity
Witkowska, D.
Postepy Higieny i Medycyny Doswiadczalnej 53(4): 545-559
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5449 PMID: 10544658 Document Number: 511719
Structural and functional homology between bacterial proteins and host antigens, called molecular mimicry, is considered as significant pathogenic factor involved in several autoimmune diseases. The most important examples of this phenomenon reviewed in this work, involve rheumatic fever, Graves' disease, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome and rheumatic arthritis caused by infections with Streptococcus, Yersinia, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, respectively.