Autoimmune diseases were so far considered to arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Recent researches have provided enough data to show that it is not the antibodies generated against native cells that cause autoimmune diseases, but it is the antibodies generated in the body against infectious agents and ‘alien proteins’ that cause those diseases. This new understanding is bringing a great paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of so-called autoimmune diseases. It also underscores the correctness of miasm concept of chronic diseases in homeopathy, which was so far considered unscientific by modern scientific community. Now it is obvious that what Hahnemann called ‘miasmatic diseases’, and what modern medicine calls ‘autoimmune diseases’ belong to the same class.
MIT concept explains the homeopathy concept of ‘miasms’ in terms of chronic disease dispositions caused by antibodies and deformed proteins. This explanation helps us to approach those so-called AUTO IMMUNE DISEASES from a new angle.
Look into the exhaustive list of diseases included in the class of autoimmune diseases which are actually ‘chronic diseases caused by off-target actions of antibodies. Kindly go through the complete list of autoimmune diseases, and the modern understanding of their relationships with infectious diseases, to realise the real magnitude of ‘anti-body mediated’ diseases or ‘miasmatic’ diseases we encounter in our day today clinical practice.
While introducing the concept of miasms, Hahnemann was actually trying to explain the role of residual effects of acute infectious diseases in precipitating chronic disease conditions. His focus was on infectious ITCH/LEPROSY, SYPHILIS and HPV-GONORRHOEA complex, which were most widespread around his place during his time.
Hahnemann, from his practical experience of applying ‘Similia Similibus Curentur’, came to the conclusion that complete cure is not possible using SIMILIMUM only, if such a similimum is selected using totality of currently existing symptoms only, without considering the ‘miasms’ or residual effects of previous acute infectious diseases.
Even though Hahnemann could rightly observe the role of miasms or residual effects of infectious diseases in the causation as well as the curative process of chronic diseases, he could not explain the exact biological mechanism by which this phenomenon works. This failure was due to the primitive state scientific knowledge available during his period, which later led to various kinds unscientific and “dynamic” interpretations by his “disciples” and “followers” which continue till the present day.
Using the scientific knowledge already available now, I have been trying to explore the exact molecular mechanism by which residual effects of acute infectious diseases contribute to the development of chronic disease conditions, which Hahnemann called ‘miasms’.
It is common knowledge that antibodies are generated in our body against infectious agents or proteins that are alien to our genetic codes. Even after infectious disease is over, these antibodies remain in our body for long periods, even for whole life in certain cases.
Since antibodies are native globulin proteins that have undergone deformation by interacting with alien proteins or infectious agents, they can themselves behave as aliens in the organism and produce pathological inhibitions by binding to various off-target biological molecules. Such molecular inhibitions caused by antibodies are the real molecular level villains playing behind various chronic diseases such as AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES, PROTEINOPATHIES, AMYLOID DISEASES AND PRION DISEASES.
Hahnemann called these phenomena of chronic residual effects of antibodies as MIASMS.
See, how Hahnemann’s concept of chronic diseases relating it with infectious diseases, paves the way for a scientific understanding of a whole class of grave diseases, and developing of a whole new range of therapeutic agents and techniques to combat them.
Hahnemann’s observations of chronic diseases, relating it with infectious diseases, would have been a revolutionary event in medical history, had anybody- be it hahnemann himself, his followers or scientists- taken up the task of explaining it in scientific terms.
Had anybody asked the question how an infectious disease can cause life-long residual effects in the organism even after the infection is over, everything would have been clear. It would have been obvious that infectious agents can produce life-long residual effects in the form of chronic diseases only through ANTIBODIES generated in the body against infectious agents.
Such a realisation would have helped medical as well as scientific community to view antibodies from a different perspective- as causative agents of diverse types of chronic diseases- over and above their role as defense molecules.
The pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases is multifaceted, involving genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and immune system dysregulation. Infectious agents have been implicated as potential triggers for many autoimmune conditions, either through molecular mimicry, bystander activation, or direct tissue damage.
Antibodies generated against infectious agents can become causative agents of autoimmune diseases through mechanisms such as molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, bystander activation, and cryptic antigen expression. The relationship between infections and autoimmune diseases is complex and multifactorial. Antibodies generated against infectious agents can become pathogenic through various mechanisms, including molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, bystander activation, and cryptic antigen expression. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases triggered by infections.
The relationship between infections and autoimmune diseases is multifaceted and involves complex interactions between genetic, environmental, and immune factors. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
Continued research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying infection-induced autoimmunity will provide deeper insights and lead to more effective interventions. By integrating knowledge from immunology, genetics, microbiology, and clinical medicine, we can improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of autoimmune diseases globally.
Some Examples of Specific Infectious Agents and Associated Autoimmune Diseases
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
Associated Diseases: Multiple Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, epitope spreading
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Associated Diseases: Cryoglobulinemia, Sjögren’s Syndrome
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Campylobacter jejuni
Associated Diseases: Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry
- Helicobacter pylori
Associated Diseases: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Autoimmune Gastritis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Coxsackievirus
Associated Diseases: Type 1 Diabetes, Myocarditis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Associated Diseases: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Vasculitis
Mechanisms: Bystander activation, cryptic antigen expression
- Streptococcus pyogenes
Associated Diseases: Rheumatic Fever, Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Associated Diseases: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Multiple Sclerosis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV-1)
Associated Diseases: Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma, HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP)
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Parvovirus B19
Associated Diseases: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, epitope spreading
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Associated Diseases: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, superantigen activation
- Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease)
Associated Diseases: Lyme Arthritis, Chronic Lyme Disease
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)
Associated Diseases: Giant Cell Arteritis, Multiple Sclerosis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Influenza Virus
Associated Diseases: Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Myocarditis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Enterovirus
Associated Diseases: Type 1 Diabetes, Myocarditis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Associated Diseases: Polyarteritis Nodosa, Glomerulonephritis
Mechanisms: Immune complex deposition, molecular mimicry
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Associated Diseases: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Chlamydia pneumoniae
Associated Diseases: Reactive Arthritis, Atherosclerosis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, immune complex deposition
- Rubella Virus
Associated Diseases: Chronic Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, bystander activation
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Associated Diseases: Erythema Multiforme, Autoimmune Encephalitis
Mechanisms: Molecular mimicry, epitope spreading
Our knowledge regarding the relationship between so-called autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases is not complete yet. It is still evolving. There are many autoimmune diseases remaining to be explained from this angle. Not only infectious diseases, but any ‘alien protein’ entering the body such as vaccines, snake bites, scorpion bites, insect bites, various allergens etc also can generate antibodies, and ultimately lead to autoimmune diseases through their off target actions. Even there may be endogenous alien proteins also, such as proteins synthesized by mutated genes in cancer cells in our body. It means, the topic of autoimmunity or miasms is very vast. A lot of research have to done on this line for emerging better undurstanding of the phenomenon.
REDEFINING HOMEOPATHY 
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