Does the Epstein-Barr Virus Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of Graves' Disease?

Aleksandra Pyzik,Jacek Roliński,Dawid Pyzik,Ewa Kiszczak-Bochyńska,Jarosław Ludian,Agata Smoleń,Ewelina Grywalska,Beata Matyjaszek-Matuszek

doi:10.3390/ijms20133145

Aleksandra Pyzik, Jacek Roliński + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20133145

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Abstract

Graves’ disease (GD) it the most common chronic organ-specific thyroid disorder without a fully recognized etiology. The pathogenesis of the disease accounts for an interaction between genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. The most important environmental factors include viral and bacterial infections. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common latent human viruses. Literature has suggested its role in the development of certain allergic and autoimmune diseases. EBV also exhibits oncogenic properties. The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the presence of EBV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with newly recognized GD and to find a correlation between EBV infection and the clinical picture of GD. The study included 39 untreated patients with newly diagnosed GD and a control group of 20 healthy volunteers who were gender and age matched. EBV DNA was detected with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) assay. The studies showed a significantly higher incidence of EBV copies in PBMCs among GD patients compared to the control group. Whereas, no significant correlations were found between the incidence of EBV copies and the evaluated clinical parameters. Our results suggest a probable role of EBV in GD development. EBV infection does not affect the clinical picture of Graves’ disease.

Highlights

IntroductionGraves’ disease (GD) belongs to a heterogeneous group of chronic organ-specific thyroid disorders without a fully recognized etiology [1]
The study showed a significantly higher incidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) copies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) among Graves’ disease (GD) patients compared with the control group
The presence EBV DNA was more frequent in women, but the number of EBV copies was higher in men

Summary

Introduction

Graves’ disease (GD) belongs to a heterogeneous group of chronic organ-specific thyroid disorders without a fully recognized etiology [1]. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in iodine-sufficient areas [2]. In developed countries, it affects approximately 0.5% of the general population. Patients suffer from a vascular goiter and often present extrathyroidal symptoms, such as orbitopathy (~50% of the cases) or more rarely dermopathy or acropachy. Characteristic somatic symptoms of hyperthyroidism include the following: Heart palpitation, weight loss, diarrhea, hand tremors, sweating, muscle weakness, and menstrual disorders, whereas neuropsychiatric symptoms include irritability, insomnia, fatigue, or anxiety [3,4].

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