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Hashimoto's thyroiditis in HTLV-I carriers.
1First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Two human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) carriers developed Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This suggests a link between HTLV-I infection and autoimmune thyroid disease in individuals without HAM/TSP symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is associated with various autoimmune conditions.
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland.
Observation:
- Two HTLV-I carriers, a 64-year-old female and a 66-year-old male, presented with biopsy-proven Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
- Both patients exhibited goiter and thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or prior hyperthyroidism) and were positive for anti-thyroid and anti-HTLV-I antibodies.
Findings:
- Thyroid biopsy findings were consistent with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in both HTLV-I carriers.
- The development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis occurred in the absence of clinical evidence of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP).
Implications:
- These cases suggest a potential association between HTLV-I infection and the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
- HTLV-I carriers may be at increased risk for autoimmune thyroid disease, even without neurological manifestations.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms linking HTLV-I and autoimmune thyroiditis.