Document Type : Original Article
Authors
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
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.
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