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Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Commentary

Molecular mimicry, inflammatory bowel disease, and the vaccine safety debate

Authors: Susy Yusung, Jonathan Braun

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Preventive immunization has provided one of the major advances in population health during the past century. However, a surprising cultural phenomenon is the emergence of concerns about immunization safety, in part due to prominently controversial biomedical studies. One ongoing theoretical safety concern is the possibility of human molecular mimicry by measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) antigens. The study of Polymeros et al. in this BMC Medicine presents a systematic evaluation and refutation of this safety concern. This provides significant new scientific evidence in support of the safety of pediatric vaccines, which will inform the ongoing policy and cultural understanding of this important public health measure.
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Metadata
Title
Molecular mimicry, inflammatory bowel disease, and the vaccine safety debate
Authors
Susy Yusung
Jonathan Braun
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-014-0166-6

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