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Focal infection in perspective.

N Hunter
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Abstract

In this article some of the theoretical possibilities arising as a result of focal infection are discussed. Rheumatic fever is discussed as an example of a disease in which a number of possible mechanisms may act to produce tissue damage at a target area. The mechanisms examined are direct dissemination of organisms from the focus to the target area, the induction of L-phase bacteria, and toxic damage to target tissue. Host-mediated tissue damage by hypersensitivity or auto-immune mechanisms is considered as well.

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N Hunter. 1977. Focal infection in perspective.. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(77)90308-5

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