Association of HTLV-I with Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Patients withMyelopathy/tropical Spastic Paraparesisand in HTLV-I Carriers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Endocrinology, Endocrine Research Center, Mashhad Medical University, Mashhad, Iran

2 Professor of Immunology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad Medical University, Mashhad, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Pathology Department, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad Medical University, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
There are some reports about the association of autoimmune thyroid diseases with human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) infection. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence rates of anti-thyroid antibodies in HTLV-I carriers and HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients in Mashhad, north east of Iran, to determine any association between HTLV-I infection and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).
Materials and Methods
A total of 46 HTLV-I infected patients (24 patients with HAM/TSP and 22 asymptomatic carriers) and 40 HTLV-I seronegative healthy individuals were screened for the presence of thyroid autoantibodies. The diagnosis of HT was based on the presence of positive thyroid autoantibodies (Anti thyroid peroxidase and/or Anti thyroglobulin) and at least one of two additional criteria (hypothyroidism and/or goiter). Analysis of data was done, using Fisher-Exact test by statistical software SPSS version 13.0. A P value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Positivity for thyroid autoantibodies was found in 14 (63.6%) of 22 asymptomatic carriers, 6 (25%) of 24 patients with HAM/TSP and 3 (7.5%) of 40 HTLV-I seronegative healthy individuals. HT found in 45.4% of asymptomatic carriers, 25% of HAM/TSP patients and 5% of seronegative healthy individuals.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates a high prevalence of HT in the HAM/TSP patients and the HTLV-I carriers in Mashhad. Our findings suggest an association between HTLV-I infection and HT in our region.

Keywords

References

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medical journal of mashhad university of medical sciences
Volume 53, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
March and April 2009
Pages 7-10

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