Prof Vera Stejskal discusses how, despite widespread exposure to metals, only a minority of people develop allergic and autoimmune disorders such as ASIA syndrome. In order to protect these individuals, identifying clinical and laboratory markers of susceptibility is key. Mercury and other metals can be added to the list of environmental agents that contribute to ASIA syndrome. Together with screening for autoantibodies, metal-specific T cells can be used to identify at-risk individuals.

Read the Editorial in IMAJ