Sjögren's syndrome appears to be associated with a retrovirus called Human Intracisternal A-Type Particle, or HIAP. Researchers believe that Sjögren's syndrome may develop in genetically susceptible individuals who have been infected by HIAP and who might have been subjected to one or more specific stimuli from internal or external sources.

Autoimmune Technologies is developing viral protein antibody tests based on the patented HIAP technology. The Autoimmune Disease Virus Assay, or ADVA, is one of these tests. The Company believes these tests will have a high degree of specificity for Sjögren's syndrome and other HIAP-associated disorders. The tests are still in the laboratory stage and are not yet generally available for investigational or clinical use.

Go to the Sjögren's Syndrome Research Page