Abstract:Some viruses can accelerate the development of autoimmune diseases in certain individuals. In this issue, we discuss the hypothesis that certain viruses impair immune tolerance. As one example, we discuss the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is well known to be associated with African Burkitt's B cell lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and infectious mononucleosis. EBV has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA, based on indirect evidence, such as the pre… Show more
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