Chapter 51 - Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (Shoenfeld’s Syndrome)

Abstract

In 2011, Shoenfeld Y and Agmon-Levin described five medical conditions with similar complex of symptoms and signs and a common pathogenesis, namely siliconosis, the Gulf War syndrome, the macrophagic myofasciitis syndrome, postvaccination phenomena, and the sick building syndrome. The authors proposed to gather these five entities under a common syndrome denominated autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). Genetically predisposed individuals, the exposure to environmental factors such as silicone, aluminum salts, adjuvant contained in vaccines, mineral oils, collagen, and hyaluronic acid and metal implants are a prerequisite to the appearance of ASIA. The epidemiology of ASIA is unknown; therefore, it is necessary to increase the international database. The immunogenetic, epigenetic, inflammatory mechanisms of each adjuvant and molecular mimicry should continue to be studied. The treatment of ASIA is in agreement with the clinical manifestations and in the identification of risk factors.