Published on February 4, 2010 (authors listed below)
Abstract: Infectious agents contribute to the environmental factors involved in the development of autoimmune diseases possibly through molecular mimicry mechanisms. Hence, it is feasible that vaccinations may also contribute to the mosaic of autoimmunity. Evidence for the association of vaccinations and the development of these diseases is presented in this review. Infrequently reported post-vaccination autoimmune diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory myopathies, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and vasculitis. In addition, we will discuss macrophagic myofasciitis, aluminum containing vaccines, and the recent evidence for autoimmunity following human papilloma virus vaccine.
Introduction
Systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases are known to develop following infectious triggers. Recently we have suggested that certain autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) may result due to specific viral agents. Furthermore, the spectrum of disease may be influenced by a certain microbial agent in the genetically predisposed individual (Zandman-Goddard et al., 2009).
Vaccines are a prototypic source for natural immune stimulation, but may be involved in pathogenic disease in the setting of aberrant immune system function. Possibly, the burden on the immune system resulting from simultaneous multiple vaccines and even the different types of vaccines may also be an overwhelming challenge in the autoimmune prone individual (Shoenfeld et al., 2008). In this review, we discuss the evidence for the development of autoimmune diseases following infections and vaccinations.
While vaccinations are generally safe, warranted and have virtually eradicated endemic diseases and probably lessened morbidity and mortality, a question arises regarding the evaluation of possible autoimmune phenomena in vaccinated individuals.
Reported post-vaccination autoimmune diseases in the adult include SLE, rheumatoid arthritis (RA),inflammatory myopathies, multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and vasculitis. Evidence for the association of vaccinations and the development of these diseases is presented in this review. In addition, we will discuss macrophagic myofasciitis, post aluminum containing vaccines and the recent support for autoimmunity following human papilloma virus vaccine.
Author: Hedi Orbach
Specialty: Immunology, Rheumatology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases
Institution: Department of Medicine B, Wolfson Medical Center
Address: Holon, Israel
Author: Nancy Agmon-Levin
Specialty: Immunology, Rheumatology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases
Institution: Center for Autoimmune Diseases & Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center
Address: Ramat Gan, Israel
Author: Gisele Zandman-Goddard
Specialty: Immunology, Rheumatology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases
Institution: Department of Medicine C, Wolfson Medical Center
Address: Holon, Israel
Institution: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University
Address: Tel-Aviv, Israel
I am wondering about dormant vaccine damage and auto-immune diseases. Mine was the first generation to receive multiple vaccinations on a schedule (late 40’s, early 50’s) and I had asthma from the time I was a child. However, my sister and I have just recently developed Hashimotos, and she also has Graves disease (both thyroid auto-immune diseases) at between 60-65 years of age. I have met SO MANY people from my generation who have had thyroid cancer, or had their thyroid glands removed, or have thyroid autoimmune disease.
My brother got ALS from a tetanus shot, and a friend of mine got MS from a gamma globulin shot, but their reactions to those shots were within days.
A side note, my brother did have a tumor removed from his thyroid gland when he was a teenager. He is now deceased from the ALS.