High Prevalence of Common Human Viruses in Thyroid Tissue

[helvella]

The relationship of viruses to thyroid diseases has been mentioned many times.

Often, it has been speculative - after all, how can a patient, especially while significantly ill, manage to demonstrate the connections.

It is of interest that this surprisingly wide-ranging paper was published last year. (I looked but couldn't find any previous posts mentioning it. And repetition can be helpful!)

Maybe we also have to consider whether thyroid disorders could promote viral infections?

High Prevalence of Common Human Viruses in Thyroid Tissue.

Weider T1,

Genoni A2,

Broccolo F3,

Paulsen TH4,

Dahl-Jørgensen K5,

Toniolo A6,

Hammerstad SS7

Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14 Jul 2022, 13:938633

DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.938633 PMID: 35909527 PMCID: PMC9333159

Abstract

Introduction

Evidence points to viral infections as possible triggers of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but little is known about the prevalence of common viruses in the thyroid gland. Using a novel approach based on virus enrichment in multiple cell lines followed by detection of the viral genome and visualization of viral proteins, we investigated the presence of multiple human viruses in thyroid tissue from AITD patients and controls.

Methods

Thyroid tissue was collected by core needle biopsy or during thyroid surgery from 35 patients with AITD (20 Graves' disease and 15 Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Eighteen thyroid tissue specimens from patients undergoing neck surgery for reasons other than thyroid autoimmunity served as controls. Specimens were tested for the presence of ten different viruses. Enteroviruses and human herpesvirus 6 were enriched in cell culture before detection by PCR and immunofluorescence, while the remaining viruses were detected by PCR of biopsied tissue.

Results

Forty of 53 cases (75%) carried an infectious virus. Notably, 43% of all cases had a single virus, whereas 32% were coinfected by two or more virus types. An enterovirus was found in 27/53 cases (51%), human herpesvirus 6 in 16/53 cases (30%) and parvovirus B19 in 12/53 cases (22%). Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were found in a few cases only. Of five gastroenteric virus groups examined, only one was detected in a single specimen. Virus distribution was not statistically different between AITD cases and controls.

Conclusion

Common human viruses are highly prevalent in the thyroid gland. This is the first study in which multiple viral agents have been explored in thyroid. It remains to be established whether the detected viruses represent causal agents, possible cofactors or simple bystanders.

Abstract and full text both freely accessible here:

europepmc.org/article/MED/3...

[Imaaan]

It remains to be established whether the detected viruses represent causal agents, possible cofactors or simple bystanders.

^ Let's hope it doesnt take a century to find the answers

[Regenallotment]

This is interesting.

When they say

“Virus distribution was not statistically different between AITD cases and controls.”

Do they mean all thyroids contain viruses or that there isn’t a difference in the types of viruses distributed in control and AITD?

My personal experience is each virus I’ve had has triggered a thyroid episode of some sort… I guess that is the nature of autoimmune.

I agree with   Imaaan lets hope more research follows.

[Mlinde in reply to Regenallotment]

It means we all, always, have viruses in our bodies, the real issue is the size of the viral load. Tiny amounts do nothing, look for a 'problem' and you'll find it.

[Alanna012]

Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were found in a few cases only

I think the very popular 'Medical Medium' is strongly based on the idea that AITD is mediated, or caused by Epstein-Barr. I always wondered if there was anything to the overall idea.

It would seem there may be some basis for thinking viruses could potentially play a significant role, but in this case Epstein-Barr would not necessarily be the chief suspect.

What an interesting study!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Alanna012]

I think that the idea it's always Epstein-Barr is naive. Which is one reason I don't care for his writings.

But there is every reason to think that viruses might well be part of the picture.

[Alanna012 in reply to helvella]

Just one!

I think of several more, although I find the idea as, you say compelling. Whilst he focuses on EB, I believe he does postulate that it is because there is viral mediation that some people do not recover despite taking meds, and even says you can continue to be affected even if the thyroid has been removed.

It would be interesting if future research explored these ideas.

[AmandaK in reply to Alanna012]

EB is implicated in ME/CFS (c. 10 per cent of those with Glandular Fever go on to have ME/CFS) and in Long Covid according to recent and ongoing research (see google.com/amp/s/amp.thegua....

Interesting that it doesn't seem to have the same prevalence in thyroid tissue.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to AmandaK]

Very difficult, though, as diagnosis of ME/CFS is so incredibly poor.

(Not that wonderful for thyroid where there are blood tests!)

[AmandaK in reply to helvella]

Yes, and I wish ME/CFS was given the same attention as Long Covid is currently. My stepdaughter was ill around two decades ago with Glandular Fever and we were warned she might develop ME/CFS (and this is where the above stats come from, as quoted by the doctor) and Dr Myhill is convinced that it was EB that triggered my ME/CFS, which in hindsight makes perfect sense even though I didn't recognise it at the time and never got tested.

Dr M is also clear that thyroid is also involved as part of the catalogue of associated problems and hence many of the symptoms.

[Mouse]

This is very interesting. I have just had Covid and have had to increase my levothyroxine dose following it.

[MichelleHarris]

I had a blood transfusion (against my wishes I might add, in NZ for a small procedure. I woke feeling terrible and could hardly move off the trolley and knew something bad was going on but was assured it was the anaesthetic and was ushered out but I could hardly walk for months. Had to leave my job. My health has never been the same. The GP told me that they screen for killer viruses but there are many more that blood is not screened for.

[jgelliss]

In my son's case EB virus played a major role for his thyroid issues. He is now on thyroid meds. My Dr told me years ago that my labs showed that I too had EB virus. Go figure?