Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2010; 31: 375-379DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1262205ABSTRACTSarcoidosis is a disease of unknown etiology, characterized pathologically by noncaseating granulomas that most commonly involve the lung, skin, lymph nodes, and eyes. Syndromes with similar pathological and immunologic features to sarcoidosis such as chronic beryllium disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and tuberculosis illustrate that granulomatous diseases may or may not have an infectious etiology. Although the etiology of sarcoidosis remains unknown, recent molecular, genetic, and immunologic studies strengthen the association of sarcoidosis with infectious antigens. Currently, the strongest agents considered include and species. Independent studies report the presence of microbial nucleic acids and prot…

Source: MedWorm: Sarcoidosis