Recurrent juvenile dermatomyositis and cutaneous necrotizing arteritis with molecular mimicry between streptococcal type 5 M protein and human skeletal myosin.

Martini, A; Ravelli, A; Albani, S; Viola, S; Scotta, M S; Magrini, U; Burgio, G R · J Pediatr · 1992

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

An adult patient had a syndrome associating the features of juvenile dermatomyositis and cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa that followed a cyclic course from childhood; recurrences were always associated with a rise of serum antistreptococcal antibodies. Regions of homology between streptococcal type 5 M protein and skeletal myosin were found. These findings suggest that streptococcal infection, possibly through a molecular mimicry mechanism, played a role in the pathogenesis of the disease in our patient.

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