Autoimmune diseases pesticides

Hypersensitivity. In addition to inducing immune dysfunction, pesticides have the potential to exert immunomodulatory effects through the induction of allergic hypersensitivity and autoimmune disease. Pesticide-related hypersensitivity reactions generally are... 

Many environmental factors have been implicated in the induction of autoimmunity. One dietary component, iodine, has been well studied as a factor that increases autoimmune thyroid disease.67 68 Based on studies in the OS chicken, the increasing prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease observed in U.S. and Western European populations has been ascribed to increased use of iodized salt.69 Experimentally, it can be shown that iodinated thyroglobulin is a more potent autoantigen than the equivalent noniodinated molecule. Food additives or pesticides may also be important in contributing to the development of autoimmune disease in susceptible individuals.70... 

Few epidemiologic studies of pesticide use in general, or specific pesticides, in relation to any autoimmune disease. Mechanistic research primarily for hexachlorobenzene and malathion. Mechanisms other than endocrine-disruption should be considered, even for pesticides with endocrine-disrupting properties. 

Much of the available information on immunotoxic evaluation of anticholinesterases involves pesticides. However, exposure to low levels of pesticides does not appear to adversely affect the immune system. The effects observed arc not always dose related and only rarely occur at exposures not producing systemic toxicity. Allergic responses and various degrees of autoimmune diseases have been reported in workers occupationally exposed to pesticides however, this effect may be mediated by alteration of proteins rather than inhibition of cholinesterases. Modulation of immune responses, particularly the interference with host defense mechanisms, has been experimentally induced fora variety of anticholinesterase pesticides. 

Many autoimmune diseases, such as hemolytic anemia, glomerular nephritis, and neutropenia, are induced by certain metals, pesticides, and a number of drugs. In such automimmune disorders, the immune system produces autoantibodies to endogenous antigens, causing damage to normal tissues. 

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