ironette t1_j7oa2kr wrote on February 8, 2023 at 5:42 AM

Semi-related: recent studies indicate that genes responsible for auto immune diseases grew in prominence in Europe during the Bubonic Plague. The theory being that those with heightened immune systems were more likely to survive the plague AND develop auto immune issues over time. But not clear if it goes the other way…as in do those who express auto immune disease have stronger immune systems than others.

Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/genes-protective-during-the-black-death-may-now-be-increasing-autoimmune-disorders-202212012859

pandaappleblossom t1_j7oj8oo wrote on February 8, 2023 at 7:31 AM

thats not what the article says though, they dont call it heightened immune systems, its just the genes that fight the black death are also the genes that seem to be raising the risk of developing certain autoimmune conditions, and they dont know why