Systemic sclerosis following human cytomegalovirus infection

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue diseasecharacterised by skin and visceral organ involvement.The cause of SSc is still unknown; it has been suggestedthat one or more factors may be responsible for the diseasethrough a complex pathogenic mechanism. Immune systemdysregulation, collagen hyperproduction by altered fibroblasts,and vascular alterations can variably contribute to SScdevelopment. The presence of Raynaud’s phenomenon anddiffuse microangiopathy suggests that endothelial injury mayrepresent the first step in the pathogenesis of the disease.4Numerous genetic, environmental, and infectious agents havebeen proposed as possible triggering factors. Among these,human cytomegalovirus infection may play a part inthe pathogenesis of the SSc owing to its ability to infect bothendothelial and monocyte/macrophage cells.