Molecular detection of Epstein-Barr virus among Sudanese patients diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 283 - 5
• Main Authors: Hamad, Marowa N., Mohamed, Fuodat I., Osman, Mayada M., Jadid, Ahlam A., Abdalrhman, Ibtihal K., Yousif, Alaa M., Alabid, Tyseer, Edris, Ali Mahmoud Mohammed, Mohamed, Nouh S., Siddig, Emmanuel Edwar, Ahmed, Ayman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 19.10.2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Age groups; Antibodies; Antiviral agents; Antiviral drugs; Autoimmune diseases; B cells; B-cell lymphoma; Complications and side effects; Diagnosis; Disease; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - complications; Family medical history; Hashimoto Disease - complications; Hashimoto Disease - diagnosis; Hashimoto Thyroiditis; Health aspects; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Identification and classification; Infections; Lymphocytes B; Lymphomas; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Molecular detection; Molecular diagnostic techniques; Research Note; Sudan; Thyroid; Thyroid gland; Thyroid hormones; Thyroiditis; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune; Viral antibodies; Viral infections; Sudan; Germany; Epstein-Barr virus; Molecular detection; Sudan; Hashimoto Thyroiditis
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06399-8

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The exact mechanism initiating the development of HT is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between HT and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a Sudanese population. EBV-LMP1 was detected in 11.1% of HT cases, which is consistent with previous studies. Studies have reported a wide range of frequencies indicating the presence of EBV in HT, and patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have increased titers of anti-EBV antibodies in their sera compared to healthy subjects. Intrathyroidal EBV-infected B cells may be responsible for the increased risk of development of B-cell lymphoma in the thyroid gland in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Our study suggests that regular follow-up is necessary for patients diagnosed with HT and are positive for EBV, as antiviral therapy is not applicable due to the risk of thyroid dysfunction. The study suggests an association between EBV and HT, but causation cannot be determined. The study also highlights the need for further research to determine the viral role and correlate it with the severity and progression of HT.