"With the possible exception of the systemic-onset form [1 ], juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has long been assumed to be an "autoimmune" disease. The autoimmune theory of pathogenesis has tenaciously held its position of unchallenged dogma in pediatric rheumatology, despite serious limits in its ability to explain all the known immunopathological phenomena and the paucity of evidence for either a T- or B-cell driven response (see below). At the same time, no competing theories for pathogenesis have emerged, so the autoimmune theory holds its ground by default."
Tenaciously...unchallenged dogma...despite serious limits...autoimmune theory holds its ground by default...oooh, baby, tell me more....
http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/5/1/13
Read all about it!I'm thrilled up to a point, but what does he mean "no competing
theories for pathogenesis have emerged"? What about the infection
theory?
Other than that, finally someone's thinking!
Well, given that he is talking specifically about JRA, maybe technically no one has ever put an infectious theory out there?
I mean, this guy is quoted on the AF site as saying something to the effect of, 'I realized I didn't have to be brilliant to advance the field'. That tells you how little is done in JRA research, doesn't it? And look around the ped rheum site this study is from - not much recent, and one of the studies has more to do with how to make sure parents are actually giving the meds, than looking for a cause/cure!
So, if anybody deserves my undying devotion, it is Dr. Jarvis. At least he can admit it is 'by default', not because it is....correct.
(Disclosure: The last 'fan club' I started was the "I Hate Nancy Club", which was really an anti-fan club during the whole Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan deal, because several co-workers and I got very sick of her. I am only moved to start clubs less than once a decade, so this is a big deal LOL!) Okay...this guy seems great!
Well, there IS one theory about JRA in The New Arthritis Breakthrough,
which is since women with RA have extreme density of mycoplasma in
their vaginal canals, it could be passed to the infant at birth. This
would explain why it seems some families have a strong genetic history
of RA. I only remember because I read that bit recently ago. It's on
page 217.
"We know that mycoplasmas can be recovered from the genital tracts of
women as a matter of routine. We look upon these organisms as parasites
at that stage, but their presence at the end of the birth canal creates
a possibility of a scenario in which the child can become infected and
the relatively passive parasite mycoplasma can eventually be
transformed into an active agent of the disease. If it happens that the
mycoplasma enters the infant's body, the parasite could escape into the
bloodstream and be carried to the joints. where it would attach to the
synovial cells. It could remain in the parasite stage indefinitely,
ticking away, awaiting it's time to turn into something more serious."
By the way, I read somewhere that most women have mycoplasma in their
birth canal, not just women with RA. Maybe was is the genetic component
is the allergic reaction to them?
Okay, can I put you down as Treasurer/Secretary????
Seriously, I have always felt my daughter's disease does go back to her birth, but of course no one wants to hear of it.
I had a post-partum infection (but did not have a c-section, so it is uncommon). I felt exactly the way I have seen so many moms post about their onset - 'I could not pick my baby up' - but was lucky in the fact that I ran a high temp, and was dx'd with an infection they treated with three days of IV abx.
I really think she could have had whatever I had, and nursing while I was on abx helped her, and it came out later. And if it hadn't come out in me like it did, I'd have RA now.
There, I've said it, Dr. Jarvis. Come find us LOL. Okay, I accept the nomination!
Nancy Kerrigan! She was the GOOD guy!
I can see an I HATE Tonya club!
And Tonya got acting gigs and book deals.
People wonder whats wrong with America!
Pip
Suzanne, I'm not sure I understand you. Are you saying that you think you had RA during the end of your pregnancy, but taking an antibiotic cleared it up before it really "took"?I know I had a post-partum infection. I was fine at the end of my pregnancy and felt fine for about a week. I became very suddenly sick, was treated for an infection, and recovered.