This is about two diseases with very similar symptoms, but completely different causes: chikungunya virus infection and rheumatoid arthritis. The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites, particularly from yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). These insects may not only transmit CHIKV, but also dengue fever, […]
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease which causes severe damage to the joints and leads to serious mobility impairment in the affected persons. RA cannot be cured, but can nowadays be treated, if diagnosed on time. In contrast to rheumatoid factors (RF), antibodies against the so-called citrullinated peptides (anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, ACPA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the joints. Its development is stimulated by genetic and environmental risk factors. It is not very long ago that the relevant autoantigens in RA were identified. So-called citrullinated proteins (they contain the amino acid citrulline) are one of possibly several target antigens of
“Rheumatism” is the term commonly used for the violent and dragging pains in joints, muscles and bones which can make everyday life a misery. Actually, this term describes a large number of individual diseases which are referred to by medical experts as “diseases of the rheumatic form”. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most
