Question

Autoimmune diseases are primarily caused by:

a) Pathogenic bacteria
b) Genetic predisposition
c) Viral infections
d) Fungal overgrowth

Answer 1

Autoimmune diseases are primarily caused by genetic predisposition and environmental factors, with the immune system erroneously attacking the body's own tissues due to a loss of immune tolerance. Certain infections can trigger these responses, as seen in rheumatic fever, but the exact causes of autoimmune reactions are largely unknown.

Step-by-step explanation:

Autoimmune diseases are primarily caused by genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, rather than pathogenic bacteria, viral infections, or fungal overgrowth. These diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, a condition known as a loss of immune tolerance. Although environmental factors, such as sunlight, infections, medications, and environmental chemicals, play a significant role in the development of these diseases, it is often the genetic makeup of an individual that determines their susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.

For example, after exposure to certain bacterial infections, the immune system might produce antibodies that cross-react with self-antigens, leading to autoimmune responses. This is observed in rheumatic fever, where antibodies developed against Streptococcus bacteria's M protein also bind to heart myosin, leading to heart damage. However, the exact initiation events that trigger most autoimmune diseases remain largely unidentified.

Answer 2

Autoimmune diseases are primarily caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Examples include bacterial infections triggering autoimmune responses and the protective effect of having multiple common infectious diseases.

Step-by-step explanation:

Autoimmune diseases are primarily caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers such as infections, medications, and chemicals. For example, a bacterial infection like strep throat can trigger an autoimmune response in some individuals, where the immune system mistakenly attacks a component of the heart causing damage to the heart valves. On the other hand, having multiple common infectious diseases may actually prevent autoimmune responses. It is important to note that the exact cause of most autoimmune diseases is still not fully understood.