Autoantibodies typical of non-organ-specific autoimmune diseases in HIV-seropositive patients

Abstract

Although the aetiology of AIDS is known, in general the aetiology of multisystemic autoimmune diseases remains to be determined, and the sequence of events taking place remains obscure in both cases. It is possible that the large spectrum of antibodies found in HIV-infected patients reflects a specific stimulation of B-cells by nuclear antigens released by apoptosis during an early stage of disease.