Inflammatory disorders of muscle. Immunological aspects.

Immunological abnormalities associated with inflammatory disorders of muscle have the potential for diagnostic utility but current data suggest that there is considerable heterogeneity with overlap between many of the conditions considered in the differential diagnosis. Immunogenetic factors may influence the expression of disease. For example, D-penicillamine may induce myasthenia gravis and/or polymyositis, depending on the HLA antigens of the recipient.