HCV e malattie autoimmuni

Although the mechanisms leading to the development of autoimmune diseases are poorly understood it is now clear that autoimmune disorders depend on at least four factors. Two are major ones: the genetic and the viral factors are considered of minor importance. In recent years the role of infection viruses has received much attention and there is evidence that retroviruses may be potential autoimmunological agents in genetically predisposed individuals. Hepatitis C retrovirus is now suspected being one of the strongest inducers of autoimmunity and autoimmune disorders. According to the literature and to our own experience the relation between HCV and autoimmunity can be classified as follows: a) HCV and autoimmune Hepatitis, b) HCV and other autoimmune disorders; c) autoimmunity induced by interferon treatment of chronic active C hepatitis. The above mentioned topics are all reviewed in the present paper.