Autoimmunity

Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are considered autoimmune diseases. We have shown that atopic dermatitis is initiated by staphylococci that are normal flora on the skin. These organisms make biofilms when exposed to salt and water in the sweat ducts. The biofilms occlude the sweat ducts and activate the innate immune system. While attempting to kill the staphylococci encased in the biofilm, the innate immune system gives rise to the signs and symptoms of eczema. When the scratching is intense enough and the epidermis is breached, IL-31 released by T-cells generates even more pruritus and the disease is worsened. In psoriasis, the offending organism is streptococcus; it also makes biofilms but in addition to that process, it internalizes inside tonsillar cells. After living inside cells for up to a year, it emerges and recolonizes. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems are involved in the disease process. Alzheimer’s disease, tertiary Lyme disease and arteriosclerosis are not currently considered autoimmune diseases. In the case of Alzheimer’s and tertiary neuroborreliosis, the organisms initiating the disease are spirochetes. These microbes make biofilms against which the innate immune system reacts and gives rise to the slow destruction of neural tissue. When the adaptive immune system is activated (e.g., after a stroke), the untoward results are much more rapid and much more devastating. Thus the spirochetes create biofilms that cause activation of the immune system that then leads to tissue destruction; this is the very essence of autoimmunity. Atherosclerosis consists of cholesterol-filled plaques that create disease. In addition to cholesterol, these plaques contain biofilm. Many organisms from chlamydia to T. denticola have been thought to play a role; the innate immune system is again activated.