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| Are There Environmental Forms of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases? Evelyn V. Hess Division of Immunology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio USA Abstract
A large number of drugs and an increasing number of environmental agents reportedly result in the appearance of a number of autoantibodies and in many instances in the appearance of a range of autoimmune clinical syndromes. The major disorders so recognized have marked resemblances to the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. The commonly used term is drug-induced lupus ; a better term is drug-related lupus. There is considerable interest at the present time in an increasing number of environmental agents. There have been two epidemics in recent years--one in Spain to a contaminant of rapeseed oil and one in the United States to a contaminant of l-tryptophan that caused an eosinophilic myositis. It is important for physicians and others involved in health care to recognize the potential associations of these diseases of unknown cause or causes. Key words: autoimmunity, clinical features, drugs, environmental agents, laboratory changes, mechanisms. -- Environ Health Perspect 107(suppl 5) :709-711 (1999) . http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/suppl-5/709-711hess/abstract.html
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