ABSTRACT
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous epitheloid cell inflammation involving the
lung and many other organs. Although epitheloid cell granulomas are characteristic feature of sarcoidosis, they are by no means diagnostic for sarcoi-
dosis, as many infectious and noninfectious diseases can present with an
identical morphologic appearance. Thus the diagnosis of sarcoidosis is based
on the exclusion of known causes. From the granulomatous response, an
adverse immune reaction is to be expected, but no antigen has been identi-
fied, which would drive this immune process. In recent years, Mycobacteria
and Proprionibacteria have been identified by molecular biology methods in
sarcoid granulomas, and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. However, it is commonly agreed that these bacteria are most probably,
triggers of the immune reaction and not the causing agents. Andmost impor-
tantly, these bacteria do not multiply, and thus do not require treatment.
