Iranian Journal of Immunology

Infection by Cag A Positive Strains of Helicobacter pylori is Associated with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Iranian Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mahmood Soveid 1
Kazem Hosseini Asl 2
Gholamhossein Ranjbar Omrani 3

1 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center

2 Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine

3 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/iji.2012.16856
Abstract
Background: Infectious agents have been suspected as a triggering factor for development of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD). Some reports from Western countries have suggested association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and ATD.
Objective: To investigate the association of ATD with Cag A seropositivity in a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection.
Methods: IgG anti HP and anti Cag A antibodies were measured in 88 patients with ATD and compared with results of 112 healthy individuals.
Results: The rate of infection with HP was not significantly different in patient and control groups, but there was significant association between ATD and infection with Cag A strains (p<0.005). This association was significant for both hypothyroidism (p<0.005) and Graves' disease (p<0.02). Cag A antibody level correlated with titers of thyroid auto antibodies (p<0.001).
Conclusion: In a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection, only infection with Cag A positive strains is associated with ATD, and this may be due to immune cross reactivity.

Keywords

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Cag A
pylori
Graves΄ Disease
Helicobacter
Iranian Journal of Immunology
Volume 9, Issue 1
Winter 2012
Pages 48-52

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