Collagenosis and allergic diseases: what is common

Collagenoses – this is a group of diseases united by the same type of functional and morphological changes in the connective tissue (mainly collagen-containing fibers). Some scientists define collagenoses as allergic diseases characterized mainly by autoimmune damage to the connective tissue of various body systems. A characteristic manifestation of collagenosis is a progressive course, involvement in the pathological process of various internal organs, blood vessels, skin, musculoskeletal systems.

Collagenoses are defined as allergic diseases. They are characterized mainly by autoimmune damage to the connective tissue and are manifested by a polymorphism of the clinical picture and a characteristic polycyclic course. At present, collagenoses are defined as diseases of the connective tissue.
The onset of collagen diseases often coincides with periods of “physiological allergization” – premenstrual and menstrual periods, menopause. Noteworthy is the frequency of “orthodox” allergies in collagenoses (bronchial asthma, urticaria).

Causes of collagenosis development

In patients with collagenosis, relapses of the disease characteristic of allergic diseases are constantly observed under the influence of various non-specific factors: insolation, hypothermia, childbirth, abortion, physiotherapy, physical trauma, stress, any infectious diseases.

Quite often, collagenosis occurs 1-3 weeks after the patient has had an infectious disease. Among the microorganisms that cause the occurrence of collagenoses, streptococcus should be distinguished. Particles of tissue from the focus of inflammation (tonsillitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, and others) and enzymes of rapidly multiplying streptococci enter the bloodstream. During this period, the action of the enzyme streptohyaluronidase is most clearly determined, which depolymerizes mucopolysaccharides in the capillary walls, increasing their permeability, and in the main substance of the connective tissue, causing its decomposition.

The role of streptococcus in the development of collagenoses

The action of streptococcus, in addition to tissue destruction, obviously causes certain changes in the antigenic structure of their decomposition products. As a result, the decomposition products are perceived by the body as foreign substances and thus are autoimmune. For the appearance of new antigenic properties, a slight structural rearrangement of the substance is sufficient. Therefore, according to the chemical structure, autoantigens – these are products of destructured tissue that do not differ significantly from the corresponding components of unaltered tissue.

Autoantibodies, which are produced in connection with this, are directed not only against autoantigens circulating in the blood, but also against similar substances that make up the intact parts of certain organs. If an infection develops, the antigens of tissue and streptococcal origin that enter the blood later turn out to be “permissive” for the development of an allergic reaction. Reaction antigen – the antibody is the starting point that determines the first clinical manifestations of collagenoses.