Immune response to Propionibacterium acnes in patients with sarcoidosis – in vivo and in vitro

Conclusions: Patients with sarcoidosis had elevated levels of specific antibodies against P. acnes which suggest contact with this bacterium in the past. Furthermore, BAL cells of sarcoid patients produced inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and GM-CSF) upon stimulation with P. acnes indicating potential involvement of this pathogen in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis in some patients.
Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research