How the Microbiome causes Autoimmune Dysfunction

Autoimmune disorders can be triggered by both pathogens and the unique mix of microorganisms that reside in the human body. I encourage practitioners and anyone interested in this fascinating and medically crucial topic to watch the video below, a presentation by Professor Trevor G. Marshall at the Autoimmunity Congress held in Granada, Spain in May of this year.Key points include:

• Bacterial genes accumulate in the human body throughout life.
• Microbes can elicit an inflammatory response as the immune system acts to eliminate them.
• Through molecular mimicry the immune system can cross-react to the body's own tissues resulting in autoimmune disorders.
• Autoimmune effects can include dysregulation of the cortisol and thyroid function.
• Olmesartan may have value as a vitamin D receptor agonist to help ameliorate autoimmune dysregulation.

Autoimmune problems mean immunopathology...

"And what you have with immunopathology, you have direct damage by the pathogen on the host, then you have the host resistance mechanisms feeding inflammation back on the pathogen, but some of those mechanisms also cause damage to the host itself: Immunopathology."

A transcript of this video presentation is available here.When investigating underlying contributing causes to autoimmune dysfunction clinicians should not neglect to consider the role of microorganisms as genetic response modifiers.