Related Experiment Videos
Failure to find an association between hepatitis C virus and thyroid autoimmunity
R A Metcalfe1, G Ball, G Kudesia
1Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Summary
Hepatitis C infection is not linked to autoimmune thyroid disease in the UK. Testing of patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism and hepatitis C showed no increased risk for thyroid autoimmunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Previous reports suggest a link between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and autoimmune thyroiditis, particularly in France.
- Case studies have indicated an association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis, chronic active hepatitis, and HCV infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between hepatitis C infection and autoimmune thyroid disease in the United Kingdom.
- To determine if hepatitis C infection is a risk factor for developing thyroid autoimmunity.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 46 patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism were tested for hepatitis C antibodies using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
- A confirmatory recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-3) was used to verify positive ELISA results.
- Sera from 111 patients with confirmed hepatitis C infection were analyzed for the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies.
Main Results:
- While 16 out of 46 patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism showed apparent positive results in one ELISA test, all were confirmed negative by RIBA-3.
- No statistically significant increase in thyroid autoantibodies was observed in patients with proven hepatitis C infection.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C infection does not appear to be a risk factor for the development of thyroid autoimmunity in the UK population.
- The initial findings of an association may be due to false-positive screening tests or specific regional factors not present in the UK.