ABSTRACT
A wide array of autoimmune diseases that target one specific organ or type of cell have been characterized. The main pathogenic insult may be an autoreactive antibody or an autoreactive T lymphocyte. Frequently both autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells are present, and frequently the autoantibodies may be a secondary manifestation but may assist in establishing a diagnosis. The chapter discusses the most important and clinically significant organ-spetific autoimmune diseases, including thyroiditis, Addison's disease, autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, type 1 diabetes, acanthosis nigricans, pernicious anemia, chronic active hepatitis, myasthenia gravis, and multiple sclerosis. The most significant and up-to-date concepts on pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management are described for each of those diseases.
