Autoimmunity in coxsackievirus B3 induced myocarditis

Abstract

Virus infections are implicated in several autoimmune diseases. Multiple mechanisms of autoimmunity induction have been proposed including antigenic mimicry, production of cryptic epitopes and infection acting as both adjuvant for self-antigens and the mechanism of releasing these cell antigens. Evidence for these mechanisms in coxsackievirus B3 induced myocarditis is discussed.

• Coxsackievirus B3
• autoimmunity
• myocarditis
• pathogenic mechanisms