HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Viral infection in induction of Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a key player or just a bystander?

Study Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
Viral infection activates both the innate and adaptive immunity and is implicated as a trigger of autoimmune diseases including Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This review summarizes our knowledge respecting the role of viral infection in the cause of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
RECENT FINDINGS:
Components of several viruses such as hepatitis C virus, human parvovirus B19, coxsackie virus and herpes virus are detected in the thyroid of Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients. Bystander activation of autoreactive T cells may be involved in triggering intrathyroidal inflammation. Signaling molecules associated with antiviral responses including Toll-like receptors may participate in Hashimoto's thyroiditis induction. However, studies have provided insufficient direct evidence for the viral hypothesis in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
SUMMARY:
Despite interesting circumstantial evidence, whether viral infection is responsible for Hashimoto's thyroiditis remains unclear. Studies addressing this issue are required to substantiate a contribution from viral infection to Hashimoto's thyroiditis and, consequently, the prospect for developing preventive modalities for Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Study Information

Mori K, Yoshida K.
Viral infection in induction of Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a key player or just a bystander?
Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes.
2010 October
Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.