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

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.

Frequencies of PD-1- positive T CD3+CD4+, T CD3+CD8+ and B CD19+ lymphocytes in female patients with Graves' disease and healthy controls- preliminary study.

PD-1 maintains tolerance and inhibits autoimmune responses. Graves' disease (GD) is one of the most frequent autoimmune diseases of unclear etiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the percentage and absolute counts of PD-1 positive T and B cells in newly diagnosed, untreated patients with hyperthyroidism due to GD. The study group included 30 patients and the control group comprised of 20 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Results showed significantly higher frequencies and absolute counts of PD-1 positive CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells and CD19+B cells in patients with GD in comparison to the healthy volunteers. Moreover, higher mean fluorescence intensity of PD-1 was found on CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells and CD19+B cells in the study group than in the control group. These results suggest that PD-1 protein might involved in the pathogenesis of GD.

Parathyroid cancer - difficult diagnosis - a case report.

Parathyroid cancer is a rare disorder of unclear etiology that is difficult to diagnose and treat. It is most often diagnosed incidentally based on multi-organ non-specific symptoms of hypercalcemia as a consequence of parathyroid hormone oversecretion. We present a case of a male with primary hyperparathyroidism who was diagnosed with parathyroid cancer ectopically located in the mediastinum only after the third surgery. However, due to chronic hypercalcemia, problems with localization and a bad clinical condition, the patient was not able to undergo a radical resection and one year after the first pathological fracture died. Taking into consideration the whole clinical picture we want to emphasize the need to apply comprehensive differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia and localization diagnosis of parathyroid tissue with a use of MIBI scintigraphy accompanied by the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as the most specific diagnostic tools employed in this pathology.