Role of Epstein–Barr virus in Iraqi patients with Autoimmune Thyroditis

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune thyroiditis has a multifactorial aetiology involving both genetic and environmental factors. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis. Aim: To investigate the seropositivty of VCA IgG and EA-D IgG antibodies of EBV in patients and comparison with healthy controls Methods: A total of 100 patients with newly diagnosed autoimmune thyroditis, (50 Graves' disease and 50 Hashimotoes thyroditis) in addition to 50 apparently healthy individuals as control group were included in this study. All patients were collected by Endocrinology and diabetes consultant of Al-Imamain Al-Kadhymain Medical City in Baghdad and Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes of Thi-Qar health directorate from November 2020 to December 2021. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used in present study. Result: Current study showed that EBV antibodies (VCA IgG & EA IgG) were significantly higher in the Autoimmune thyroiditis than healthy control (p=<0.001). Conclusion: Elevted EBV and EA-D antibodies suggest a possible association between EBV and Autoimmune thyroiditis.