Immunological aspects of infections part 41

While immunological reactions to the virus are generally beneficial to the host, they may also initiate or aggravate tissue damage in the host inadvertently. For example, EBV is a polyclonal B-cell activator, and the virus may combine with host antigens to form new antigens. Antibodies to these antigens will not only recognize viral antigens, but some will bind to host antigens as well, thereby possibly initiating an autoimmune response and disease. An example of this type of reaction is the appearance of chronic autoimmune liver disease following chronic hepatitis B infection or immune complex disease such as vasculitis or glomerulonephritis.