A: Normally, encounter of a mature self-reactive T cell with a self-antigen presented by a costimulator-deficient resting tissue APC results in peripheral tolerance by anergy. (Other possible mechanisms of self-tolerance are not shown); B: Microbes may activate the APCs to express costimulators, and when these APCs present self, the self-reactive T cells are activated rather than rendered tolerant; C: Some microbial antigens may cross-react with self-antigens (molecular mimicry). Therefore, immune responses initiated by the microbes may activate T cells specific for self-antigens.
Figure 1: Role of infections in the development of autoimmunity [12]

 

ELISA

 

+ve

-ve

CD +ve

1
2.0%

49
98.0%

50

CD -ve

1
5.3%

18
94.7%

19

Total

2
2.9%

67
97.1%

69

Chi-square test performed (p-value = 0.478)
Table 1:Results of CD serology and HCV antibody ELISA n=69

 

PCR

 

+ve

-ve

CD +ve

6
12.0%

44
88.0%

50

CD -ve

4
21.1%

15
78.9%

19

Total

10
14.5%

59
85.5%

69

Chi-square test performed (p-value = 0.445)
Table 2:Results of CD serology and HCV PCR (n=69)

TECHNIQUE

PCR+

PCR-

TOTAL

AGREEMENT %

ELISA +

2

0

2

 

87.34%

ELISA -

8

59

67

TOTAL

10

59

69

% of agreement: 87.34177215189874%
Cohen’s k: 0.5923632610939111
Table 3:Cross Tabulation between ELISA and PCR among CD seropositive and seronegative groups