Association of serum antithyroid antibodies with lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland: studies of seventy autopsied cases.

Postmortem histological examination of the thyroid gland and measurement of serum antithyroid antibodies were performed in 70 patients without overt thyroid disease. Lymphocytic infiltration, antithyroglobulin hemagglutination antibody (TGHA), and antithyroid microsomal hemagglutination antibody (MCHA) were found in 12, 2, and 9 cases, respectively. The incidence of lymphocytic infiltration in females was three times that in males. Ten of the 12 cases with lymphocytic infiltration had positive antibodies (either TGHA or MCHA), while 10 of 11 patients with positive antibodies showed lymphocytic infiltration. Thus, the correlation between morphological and serological findings was highly significant at P less than 0.001. The incidence of a small thyroid gland of less than 15 g in weight was higher in patients with lymphocytic infiltration and/or positive antibodies than in patients with a normal thyroid gland. These data suggest that positive serum antithyroid antibodies in subjects without overt thyroid disease may indicate the existence of lymphocytic infiltration in the thyroid gland, that is presumably subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis.     

MEASURMENT OF CIRCULATING THYROID MICROSOMAL ANTIBODIES BY THE TANNED RED CELL HAEMAGGLUTINATION TECHNIQUE: ITS USEFULNESS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASES

Thyroid-microsomal antibodies were quantitated by a new technique utilizing tanned sheep red blood cells coated with human thyroid microsomal antigens. This haemagglutination assay (MCHA) correlated with the immunofluorescent antibody (FAB) but not with the thyroglobulin haemagglutination antibodies (TGHA) assay.
Of forth-one patients with Hasmimoto's thyroiditis, Thirty-nine (95%) were MCHA but only twenty-four (59%) TGHA positive. Titres were similar for the hypothyroid and euthyroid patients. Patients less than 20 years of age had either negative (50%) or low titre (less than 1:160) TGHA but 100% positive MCHA at titres greater than 1:1280. Of twenty-one patients with Graves'diseases eighteen (86%) were MCHA and six (29%) TGHA positive. Of thirty-two patients without thyroid diseases eleven (34%) were MCHA and/or TGHA positive. On the basis of family history and associated abnormalities, in eight of eleven, positive antibodies may have been due to subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Fourteen subjects of a control group (10%) were MCHA postivie. Seven of ten examined had goitres.
MCHA is a simple and quantitative test, useful in the diagnosis of autoinnune thyroid diseases.     

Two cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with transient hypothyroidism.

Two cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are presented: a woman who suffered twice from transient hypothyroidism (Case 1), and a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome who had transient hypothyroidism which was inferred to have been caused by exacerbation of Hashimoto's disease (Case 2). In both cases, fluctuation in titers of both anti-thyroglobulin (TGHA) and antimicrosomal antibodies (MCHA) was observed. Although an increased serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in Case 2 was associated with the increased titer of MCHA, this was not true of Case 1. Measurement of serum iodine concentration in Case 1 disclosed no correlation between serum TSH and iodine concentrations, suggesting that episodes of hypothyroidism in this patient are not due to iodine-induced hypothyroidism. The transient hypothyroidism in Case 2 was considered to be due to fluctuations in immune mechanism(s), but the reason in Case 1 was not clear in the present study.     

The significance of antithyroglobulin and antithyroidal microsomal antibodies in patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease treated with antithyroidal drugs

The presence of serum antithyroglobulin (TGHA) and antithyroidal microsomal (MCHA) antibodies in Graves' disease patients is associated with lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of TGHA and MCHA during and after treatment of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. One hundred and seventeen such patients were treated for 2 yr with methimazole and then followed for an additional year or more (mean, 30 months). The patients were classified into the following three groups: group I, patients negative for TGHA and MCHA before and during the 2 yr of treatment; group II, patients positive for MCHA but negative for TGHA before and during the 2 yr of treatment; and group III, patients who were positive for both TGHA and MCHA before and during treatment. The relapse rates after discontinuation of treatment in these groups were 39% (13 of 33), 27% (13 of 48), and 11% (4 of 36), respectively; the value in group I was significantly higher than that in group III (P less than 0.01). The results suggest that the presence of TGHA and MCHA may influence the prognosis of Graves' disease in patients treated with methimazole. Those patients who had neither antibody before and during treatment were most likely to have a relapse of hyperthyroidism, and those who had both antibodies were least likely to have a relapse.     

Selenium supplementation in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis decreases thyroid peroxidase antibodies concentrations

In areas with severe selenium deficiency there is a higher incidence of thyroiditis due to a decreased activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity within thyroid cells. Selenium-dependent enzymes also have several modifying effects on the immune system. Therefore, even mild selenium deficiency may contribute to the development and maintenance of autoimmune thyroid diseases. We performed a blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective study in female patients (n = 70; mean age, 47.5 +/- 0.7 yr) with autoimmune thyroiditis and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and/or Tg antibodies (TgAb) above 350 IU/ml. The primary end point of the study was the change in TPOAb concentrations. Secondary end points were changes in TgAb, TSH, and free thyroid hormone levels as well as ultrasound pattern of the thyroid and quality of life estimation. Patients were randomized into 2 age- and antibody (TPOAb)-matched groups; 36 patients received 200 microg (2.53 micromol) sodium selenite/d, orally, for 3 months, and 34 patients received placebo. All patients were substituted with L-T(4) to maintain TSH within the normal range. TPOAb, TgAb, TSH, and free thyroid hormones were determined by commercial assays. The echogenicity of the thyroid was monitored with high resolution ultrasound. The mean TPOAb concentration decreased significantly to 63.6% (P = 0.013) in the selenium group vs. 88% (P = 0.95) in the placebo group. A subgroup analysis of those patients with TPOAb greater than 1200 IU/ml revealed a mean 40% reduction in the selenium-treated patients compared with a 10% increase in TPOAb in the placebo group. TgAb concentrations were lower in the placebo group at the beginning of the study and significantly further decreased (P = 0.018), but were unchanged in the selenium group. Nine patients in the selenium-treated group had completely normalized antibody concentrations, in contrast to two patients in the placebo group (by chi(2) test, P = 0.01). Ultrasound of the thyroid showed normalized echogenicity in these patients. The mean TSH, free T(4), and free T(3) levels were unchanged in both groups. We conclude that selenium substitution may improve the inflammatory activity in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, especially in those with high activity. Whether this effect is specific for autoimmune thyroiditis or may also be effective in other endocrine autoimmune diseases has yet to be investigated.     

高IgG4水平桥本甲状腺炎患者的临床特征研究

目的研究IgG4相关性桥本甲状腺炎患者的临床特征,提高认识并指导临床。方法随机抽取2016年4月至2017年3月于江苏省中西医结合医院内分泌科就诊的桥本甲状腺炎患者,用散射比浊法检测血清IgG4水平,根据是否≥1.35 g/L分为阳性组与阴性组,分析比较两组患者年龄、性别、病史特征、血清学特征和甲状腺超声等,总结血清IgG4阳性桥本甲状腺炎患者的临床特征。结果111例桥本甲状腺炎患者中9例(8.11%)为阳性,均为女性。两组患者的性别、年龄、体重指数、甲状腺功能3项、甲状腺超声特征等均无统计学差异。伴高水平IgG4者,发病年龄相对较大[(40.22±10.01)对(38.65±14.44)岁,P=0.750],左旋甲状腺素(L-T4)替代治疗量更高[62.50(0,100)对0(0,50)μg/d,P=0.069],但差异均无统计学意义。IgG4升高组的甲状腺体积显著大于非IgG4升高组[57.81(38.36,74.93)对25.07(18.48,42.14)ml,P=0.015],并且伴有明显高于非IgG4升高组的甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TgAb;P=0.011)和甲状腺抗过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb;P=0.025)水平。此外,IgG4升高组合并甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)的几率高于非IgG4升高组(11.1%对2.94%,P=0.290),但无统计学差异。相关性分析示,IgG4水平与TgAb、TPOAb水平、甲状腺体积等呈显著正相关。结论血IgG4升高的桥本甲状腺炎患者甲状腺自身抗体水平更高,甲状腺肿大程度更明显,合并PTC的风险更高,且更易发生邻近淋巴结转移。对于血清IgG4升高者,应更加密切监测甲状腺功能及形态学变化。     

Long-term outcome of interferon-alpha-induced thyroid autoimmunity and prognostic influence of thyroid autoantibody pattern at the end of treatment

Thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction have been widely reported as side effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment, but the literature lacks data regarding the long-term course of these complications, clinical observation being limited to 6-12 months off therapy. Our study is the first that has aimed to evaluate the natural history of IFN-related thyroid autoimmunity during a 6.2-yr follow-up after the IFN-alpha withdrawal as well as to investigate the potential role of the autoantibody pattern at the end of treatment to predict the long-term outcome. Our study group included 114 patients (79 males, 35 females), mean age 48 yr (range 23-67 yr) with no preexisting thyroid disease, undergoing a 12-month treatment with recombinant IFN-alpha for C virus-related chronic active hepatitis. Thyroid autoimmunity (serum TgAb and TPOAb) and function (serum FT(4), FT(3), TSH) were retrospectively evaluated at the end of IFN therapy, 6 months after IFN withdrawal and after a median period of 6.2 yr (range 5.5-8.4 yr). At the end of treatment, 78 patients were negative for thyroid autoantibodies (Abs-) and all but one of them remained so for the following evaluations. The remaining 36 patients had thyroid autoantibodies (Abs+) at the end of treatment, and they subsequently showed a heterogeneous behavior: 16 patients remained Abs+ for the whole length of the study (persistent thyroiditis); 10 patients became Abs- 6 months off therapy but were again Abs+ 6.2 yr later (remitting/relapsing thyroiditis); 10 patients reverted to autoantibody negativity at different observation times (transient thyroiditis). The absence of thyroid autoantibodies at the end of treatment was a protective factor for the successive development of thyroiditis (odds ratio: 0.02, confidence interval (CI) 95%: 0-0.1). On the contrary, the positivity for TgAb and/or TPOAb at high titers at the end of IFN treatment was significantly related to the highest risk of having chronic thyroiditis (odds ratio: 17.3, CI 95%: 3.2-91.7 for TgAb levels > 50 degree percentile; odds ratio: 7.3, CI 95%: 1.5-35.2 for TPOAb levels > 50 degree percentile). None of the patients showed overt thyroid dysfunction throughout the study, whereas a subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 12 patients. In all 12 cases, the functional abnormality was accompanied by the presence of thyroid autoantibodies. Eight of these 12 patients belonged to the group with persistent thyroiditis (P < 0.05). The absence of thyroid autoantibodies at the end of treatment was a protective factor for the successive development of thyroid dysfunction (odds ratio: 0.06, CI 95%: 0.01-0.56). On the contrary, the positivity for both TgAb and TPOAb at the end of IFN therapy was significantly correlated with the highest risk of having subclinical hypothyroidism 6.2 yr. later (odds ratio: 38.7; CI 95%: 6.2-242). Our study demonstrates that in patients undergoing an IFN-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C and with no evidence of preexisting thyroid disease: 1) the negativity for thyroid autoantibodies after IFN treatment is a protective factor for the developing thyroid autoimmunity and/or dysfunction in following years; 2) the IFN-alpha-related thyroid autoimmunity is not a complete reversible phenomenon because some patients can develop chronic thyroiditis; 3) high autoantibody levels at the end of IFN therapy are related to the risk of having chronic thyroid autoimmunity; and 4) the coexistence of TgAb and TPOAb at the end of treatment is a predictive factor for the presence of thyroid dysfunction, even if subclinical, many years after IFN withdrawal.     

Inhibition by immunoglobulin G of synthesis of thyroid hormone in thyroid cultures from hypothyroid patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Recently, thyroid microsomal antigen was identified as thyroid peroxidase, and thyroid microsomal antibody was found to inhibit thyroid peroxidase activity in vitro. We investigated the possibility that anti-microsomal antibody inhibits the iodination of tyrosine, in vivo. Immunoglobulin G with or without anti-microsomal antibody from hypothyroid patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis inhibited thyroid hormone synthesis in cultured slices of normal human thyroid tissue. IgGs with anti-microsomal antibody inhibited 125I thyroidal uptake and thyroid hormone synthesis stimulated by TSH more than normal IgG did. However, the same results were obtained with IgGs without anti-microsomal antibody. This effect did not involve anti-microsomal antibody, anti-thyroglobulin antibody, TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulin, thyroid stimulation-blocking immunoglobulin, or the cAMP level of the thyroid tissue. The ratio of organic I to inorganic I with stimulation by TSH in slices incubated with IgG from hypothyroid patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis or normal IgG was not significantly different, but was significantly higher in slices incubated with methylmercaptoimidazole. Therefore, IgG from hypothyroid patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis mainly suppressed 125I thyroidal uptake, rather than inhibiting thyroid peroxidase activity. In addition, this IgG was present in the serum of 11 of the 12 hypothyroid patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis studied. This IgG may be involved in the mechanism that causes hypothyroidism in some patients with goitrous Hashimoto's disease.     

Graves' hyperthyroidism showing transient hypothyroidism during interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis type C

We report a patient with Graves' disease in whom thyroid function was changed from initial hyperthyroidism to transient hypothyroidism and back to hyperthyroidism during interferon (IFN) therapy. A 43-year-old man was admitted to our hospital to receive IFN treatment for chronic active hepatitis (type C) in June 1998. His thyroid function was normal and testing for thyroid gland antibodies (TSH binding inhibitor immunoglobulins; TBII, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies; TgAb and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies; TPOAb) was negative before IFN therapy. The patient had neither history of thyroid disease nor any particular family history. He developed hyperthyroidism four months after its initiation of IFN therapy. When he was hyperthyroid, TBII, the activity of thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb) and thyroid stimulation-blocking antibodies (TSBAb) were 40.2% (normal range, -15 approximately +15.0%), 1201% (normal range, 相似文献   

Antithyroperoxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies in a five-year follow-up survey of populations with different iodine intakes

OBJECTIVE: In a follow-up study, we determined the prevalence, incidence, and natural course of positive antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAbs) and antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAbs) in the general population and examined the influences of iodine intake. DESIGN: The study was conducted in Panshan, Zhangwu, and Huanghua, regions with mildly deficient, more than adequate, and excessive iodine intake, respectively. Of the 3761 unselected subjects who were enrolled at baseline, 3018 participated in the 5-yr follow-up study. Serum TSH, TPOAb, and TgAb levels were measured. RESULTS: Among subjects in Panshan, Zhangwu, and Huanghua, the prevalence of positive TPOAbs was 11.23, 11.83 and 12.02%, respectively, whereas 11.23, 11.17, and 11.26% of subjects were TgAb positive, respectively. In the older population (> or =45 yr), TgAb-positive individuals were more frequent in Huanghua than Panshan and Zhangwu (P < 0.05). The 5-yr cumulative incidence of positive TPOAb was 2.08, 3.84, and 2.84% in Panshan, Zhangwu, and Huanghua, respectively, whereas 2.91, 3.64, and 5.07% of subjects were TgAb positive, respectively (P < 0.05), corresponding to the increase in iodine intake. Subjects who were TPOAb and/or TgAb positive at baseline developed thyroid dysfunctions more frequently than those without antibodies (14.44 vs. 3.31%, P < 0.01); their incidence of elevated TSH levels was 1.32, 8.46, and 15.38% in Panshan, Zhangwu, and Huanghua, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects who were TPOAb and TgAb positive at baseline developed thyroid dysfunctions more frequently than seronegative subjects. High iodine intake was a risk factor for developing hypothyroidism in antibody-positive subjects. A constant exposure to excessive iodine intake increased the incidence of positive TgAb.     

Hashimoto's thyroiditis presenting as a solitary functioning thyroid nodule.

A case of hypothyroidism is described in a young woman who on thyroid scan had a discrete functioning "nodule" with homogeneous radioactive iodine uptake, and surrounded by atrophic non-functioning thyroid tissue. Antithyroglobulin antibodies were not demonstrable, but anti-microsomal antibodies were positive at a titer of 1:25,600. Histologically, the "nodule" represented Hashimoto's thyroiditis with more extensive destruction of the remaining gland. Although it is unusual, Hashimoto's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of functioning thyroid nodules, and both anti-thyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies should be obtained in such circumstances.     

The clinical course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis during a 5 year observation period in relation to the change in thyroid function and the titers of the antithyroid antibody

In order to discover whether or not thyroid function in patients with Hashimoto's disease will move toward hypothyroidism with age, we investigated the thyroid function and antithyroid antibody titers at the initial examination and 5 years later in 181 patients with goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Pregnant patients and those within 1 year of the postpartum period were excluded. The thyroid function was assessed before medication or at least one month after stopping it. At the initial examination, 52% (94 cases) of the cases were euthyroid, 24% (44 cases) were subclinically hypothyroid and 24% (43 cases) were hypothyroid. It was not observed whether the incidence of hypothyroidism tended to be greater in older patients or in patients with longer duration of illness. Five years later, 68% of euthyroid patients at the initial examination remained in euthyroid state, 18% had become subclinically hypothyroid, and 9% were hypothyroid. The thyroid function was not evaluated in 5% of the patients because they were under treatment with 1-thyroxine. In the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism at the initial examination, 30% had become euthyroid, 23% remained subclinically hypothyroid, 32% had become hypothyroid and 16% were not evaluated. Thirty percent of the patients with hypothyroidism at the initial examination had become euthyroid, 7% were subclinically hypothyroid, 28% remained hypothyroid and 35% were not evaluated. The higher the titer of TGHA, the higher the percentage of hypothyroidism at the first examination. A similar but much stronger tendency was observed in the patients with a higher titer of MCHA. In the patients with a higher titer of TGHA, the number of hypothyroid patients approximately doubled after 5 years, although such a tendency was not observed in the patients with a higher titer of MCHA. In patients with persistent hypothyroidism, the age was significantly higher, the serum concentration of T3 lower and the titer of TGHA at the initial examination and MCHA 5 years later higher than in the patients with transient hypothyroidism. The titer of MCHA was significantly decreased 5 years later in patients with transient hypothyroidism. From these results, it is indicated that in patients with goitrous hypothyroidism, the incidence of hypothyroidism was higher in the cases with high titers of antithyroid antibody than in those with low titers, and that in the patients with transient hypothyroidism, the age was lower, the serum level of T3 higher and the titer of TGHA lower than in the cases with permanent hypothyroidism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Usefulness of thyroglobulin antibody detected by ultrasensitive enzyme immunoassay: a good parameter for immune surveillance in healthy subjects and for prediction of post-partum thyroid dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: Using newly developed ultrasensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), we have evaluated physiological and pathological implications of the antibody in healthy subjects as well as in autoimmune thyroid diseases. MEASUREMENTS: This EIA was based on the immune complex transfer method, and was 10(4)-fold more sensitive compared with the conventional haemagglutination assay (HA); the detection limit was 0.1 micrograms IgG/I, and the specificity of the assay was confirmed from the unequivocal decrease in the fluorescence intensity by the preincubation of test serum with Tg and/or inactive beta-D-galactosidase which blocks antibodies to the enzyme. RESULTS: TgAb was detectable in 159 (91%) of 175 healthy subjects aged 3rd to 7th decade (96 men and 79 women), and did not exhibit age or sex-associated change. In nine healthy women, the TgAb level significantly decreased as pregnancy progressed but increased transiently after delivery. TgAb was detectable in 52 (98%) of 53 patients with Graves' disease and all (100%) of 107 patients with chronic thyroiditis. Abnormal high TgAb values (> 40 micrograms/I), determined from the 95th percentile in healthy subjects, were shown in 40 (75%) with the former disease and 94 (88%) with the latter disease. Moreover, in 14 goitrous patients with biopsy-proved chronic thyroiditis with negative HA results, 12 (86%) showed abnormal high TgAb levels. In 69 patients with post-partum thyrotoxicosis in Graves' disease, 15 (79%) of 19 patients with the TgAb level of more than 2 x 10(3) micrograms/I in early pregnancy showed destructive thyrotoxicosis and 46 (92%) of 50 with less than this level showed stimulative thyrotoxicosis. This TgAb test could discriminate the two types of thyrotoxicosis more clearly than could the conventional TGHA test. In chronic thyroiditis, the mean TgAb value in early pregnancy was significantly higher in patients with postpartum hypothyroidism than in those without thyroid dysfunction. Hypothyroidism developed in 80% of the patients with a TgAb value of more than 10(3) micrograms/I. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasensitive TgAb EIA was useful for detecting the physiological changes in autoantibody formation in healthy subjects and the TgAb value was useful for predicting post-partum thyroid dysfunction in autoimmune thyroid diseases. This EIA is useful for the evaluation of the immune surveillance in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases as well as in healthy subjects.     

Levothyroxine in euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes: a randomized, controlled trial

CONTEXT: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have an increased risk of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether levothyroxine (l-T(4)) treatment prevents the clinical manifestation of AIT in euthyroid subjects with T1D. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a prospective, randomized, open, controlled clinical trial at six tertiary care centers for pediatric endocrinology and diabetes. PATIENTS: Of 611 children and adolescents with T1D, 89 individuals (14.5%) were identified with positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), or both. Of these, 30 patients (age, 13.3 +/- 2.1 yr) met the inclusion criteria and were randomized to receive l-T(4) (n = 16 patients) or no treatment (n = 14 patients). INTERVENTION: l-T(4) (1.3 microg/kg daily) was given for 24 months in the treatment group, followed by an additional observation period of 6 months in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thyroid gland volume (as determined by ultrasound), serum levels of TSH, thyroid hormones, TPOAb, and TgAb were assessed every 6 months for 30 months. RESULTS: Mean thyroid volume decreased in the treatment group after 24 months (-0.60 sd score) and increased in the observation group (+ 1.11 sd score; P = 0.0218). Serum thyrotropin, free T(4), TPOAb, and TgAb levels were not significantly different in both groups during the entire study period. Hypothyroidism developed in three individuals treated with l-T(4) and in four untreated patients (conversion rate, 9.3% per year). CONCLUSIONS: In this study in euthyroid patients with AIT and T1D, l-T(4) treatment reduced thyroid volume but had no effect on thyroid function and serum autoantibody levels.     

Cold reactive lymphocytotoxic activity in autoimmune thyroid disease

An increased incidence of cold-reactive lymphocytotoxic activity (LCTA) has been demonstrated in the sera of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Twenty-six of 79 (33%) patients with Graves' disease and 9 of 21 (43%) patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis had cold-reactive LCTA detected by microcytotoxicity assay compared to 6 of 42 (14%) normal controls. There was no correlation between LCTA and age, sex, MCHA titre or TGHA titre. A positive correlation with FTI and LCTA in Hashimoto's patients was demonstrated, but no such correlation was demonstrable in Graves' patients. The lymphocytotoxic activity was directed preferentially against B cells. There was no preferential lysis of T-cell subsets as defined by monoclonal antibodies, and the lymphocytotoxins were equally reactive with normal lymphocytes and toxic Graves' lymphocytes. The significance of cold-reactive lymphocytotoxic activity in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease remains to be determined.     

桥本甲状腺炎患者血管内皮功能受损与低度炎症反应的关系

目的 探讨低水平的炎症反应在血脂正常的桥本甲状腺炎(HT)患者血管内皮功能受损中的作用.方法 将58例HT患者,分为甲状腺功能正常组(甲功正常组)28例,亚临床甲状腺功能减退组(甲减组)30例,并有28例正常人(对照组)纳入本实验.空腹静脉取血检测甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、促甲状腺素(TSH)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TgAb)、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、一氧化氮(NO)和超敏C-.反应蛋白(hs-CRP).结果 HT患者的甲功正常组、甲减组,分别与对照组比较,NO显著下降(P均＜0.01),而TgAb、TPOAb、hs-CRP则显著升高(P均＜0.01).HT患者中,甲功正常组与甲减组两两比较,NO、TgAb、TPOAb、hs-CRP均没有统计学差异(P均＞0.05).结论 血脂正常的HT患者存在血管内皮功能受损,可能是由于自身免疫异常的长期低水平的炎症反应,参与了HT患者的血管内皮功能损伤.     

A case of rheumatoid arthritis associated with silent thyroiditis.

A 41-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis had nontender enlarged thyroid gland. Thyroid function tests revealed increased concentrations of serum free T3 (FT3, 10.8 pmol/L) and free T4 (FT4, 31.1 pmol/L) with suppressed concentration of thyrotropin (TSH, lower than 0.1 mU/L) and low 24-hour thyroidal radioactive iodine uptake (1.6%). Serum thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) was negative (0%) and she had positive anti-thyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies. A diagnosis of silent thyroiditis was made based on laboratory findings. Serum concentrations of FT3 and FT4 normalized one month later without treatment. The causal relationship between the two diseases is discussed.     

A case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with renal tubular acidosis, Sj?gren syndrome and empty sella syndrome]

This report describes a 48-year old female patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, distal-type renal tubular acidosis (d-RTA), Sj?gren syndrome (SjS), and empty sella syndrome (ESS). She has been receiving replacement of thyroxine for Hashimoto's thyroiditis since 1967. She felt muscle weakness and numbness in the extremities and was found to have low serum potassium (2.9 mEq/l) in 1987. Since then she has been administrated potassium chloride orally. She was admitted to our hospital because of recurrence of muscle weakness and numbness of the extremities in November 1990. Laboratory examination revealed that her serum levels of antimicrosomal antibody and anti-thyroglobulin antibody were highly positive (MCHA: x 2(10) x 100, and TGHA: x 100). Furthermore, she was revealed to have 1) d-RTA by oral tolerance tests with the administration of NH4Cl and NaHCO3, 2) SjS by Schirmer test and sialography, and 3) ESS by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations of the pituitary. Association of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, d-RTA, SjS and ESS in this case may possibly be caused by common autoimmune mechanism.     

Point-of-care assays for autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase and to thyroglobulin.

Point-of-care (POC) assays for autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and to thyroglobulin (TgAb) are described. Both assays are based on the ability of autoantibodies in test samples (whole blood, plasma, or sera) to inhibit the binding of monoclonal antibodies to TPO or to Tg. The assays require no special equipment and give results in 10 minutes. Analysis of samples from healthy blood donors (n = 80), patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (n = 97) and nonthyroid autoimmune diseases (n = 20) showed that results with the POC tests compared well to those obtained by agglutination assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reference immunoprecipitation assays (IPA) based on 125I-labeled TPO or Tg were more sensitive than the POC tests particularly in the case of TgAb measurements. However, no samples were found positive by POC test and negative by IPA emphasizing the high specificity of the POC assays. Our results suggest that POC testing for TPOAb and TgAb with assays such as those we describe could be useful in certain situations. These include prediction of postpartum thyroiditis and the development of interferon-alpha-related thyroid disease.     

Increased prevalence of thyroglobulin antibodies in Sri Lankan schoolgirls--is iodine the cause?

OBJECTIVE: Iodine deficiency was the likely cause of a high prevalence of goitre previously in Sri Lankan schoolchildren. Salt iodination was made compulsory in 1993 but there has been no recent study, using modern techniques, of its benefits or harmful effects. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-seven schoolgirls between the ages of 11 and 16 years had ultrasound thyroid volume, free thyroxine (T4), free tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyrotrophin (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) antibodies, and urine iodine concentrations measured. RESULTS: Median ultrasound thyroid volume ranged from 4.8 ml (11-year-old girls) to 8.6 ml (16-year-old girls) with an age-related increase. Median urine iodine concentrations ranged from 105 to 152 microg/l. Free T4 and free T3 were normal in all, but TSH was elevated in four subjects (5. 53-41.29 mU/l). However, the prevalence of TgAb was markedly raised, ranging between 14.3% (11-year-old girls) and 69.7% (16-year-old girls) (P<0.03). In contrast, the prevalence of TPOAb was 10% or less in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Normal median thyroid volumes, iodine concentrations and thyroid function would indicate that iodine deficiency is not a major problem in this group. The high prevalence of TgAb, hitherto unreported, most likely reflects excessive iodination of Tg resulting in increased immunogenicity. There is an urgent need to continuously monitor the adequacy and risks of iodination in this population.