Continuing the quest for autoimmunity due to oral metal exposure.

Author: Rachmawati D, Muris J, Scheper RJ, Rustemeyer T, Kleverlaan CJ, Feilzer AJ, von Blomberg BM, van Hoogstraten IM.

Source: Autoimmunity.

Year: 2015

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

Results: Skin hypersensitivity, as seen mainly for Ni and/or Pd, was not positively associated with autoimmune parameters. In contrast, metal hypersensitive individuals showed an extremely low frequency of thyroid autoantibodies (3% vs 20% in non-hypersensitive controls). Next, the relation between metal exposure and autoimmunity was evaluated in individuals >35 years (n = 58), since from that age on metal exposure had plateaued and was not correlated with age. In this subgroup, oral Ni exposure was associated (p < 0.01) with self-reported AID, irrespective of autoantibody levels. These unexpected findings warrant further confirmation in a larger test group. Of note, oral Pd, Au or Hg contacts were not associated with any of the clinical or serological autoimmune phenomena tested.

Conclusion: The results of this study support the view that development of metal contact allergies may prevent autoimmune activation, and, second, that oral exposure to Pd, Au or Hg does not facilitate the development of AID.

Citation: Rachmawati D, Muris J, Scheper RJ, Rustemeyer T, Kleverlaan CJ, Feilzer AJ, von Blomberg BM, van Hoogstraten IM. Continuing the quest for autoimmunity due to oral metal exposure. Autoimmunity. 2015; 48(7):494-501.