Iodine uptake studies in cotton rat filariasis

A study was undertaken in cotton rat filarial (L. carinii) model to examine whether the simple goitre is due to increased utilization of iodine by filarial worms. Thyroid function test using radioisotope 131I was taken as the parameter for the study. It was observed that the uptake of 131I by thyroid gland and PB131I in infected group was comparable to control groups. The uptake of 131I by worms was negligible. The thyroid glands of infected group did not reveal any histopathological changes.