Serum antithyroid antibody concentrations
decrease after treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection
(March 2005)
The background of the study. The cause of autoimmune
thyroiditis is not known, but likely includes genetic and environmental
factors. In this study the effect of treatment of infection with
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacteria that causes
peptic ulcers, on serum antithyroid antibody concentrations was
determined.
How the study was done. Five women with a high
serum antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody concentration who
tested positive for H. pylori infection were treated with
a standard anti–H. pylori regimen of antibiotics
and a drug to reduce acid secretion by the stomach. Serum anti-TPO
antibodies and antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies were measured
at base line and periodically for up to two years in these women
and also in women with similar findings who were not treated.
The results of the study. Serum anti-TPO antibody
concentrations progressively decreased by 73 percent (range, 50
to 99) in the five women who received anti–H. pylori
therapy, as compared with a decrease of 27 percent (range, 0 to
56) in the five untreated women. Serum anti-Tg antibody concentrations
also decreased in the treated women, but not in the untreated women.
The conclusions of the study. Serum anti-TPO and
anti-Tg antibody concentrations may decrease after treatment for
H. pylori infection in patients with chronic autoimmune
thyroiditis. These results suggest a possible role for H. pylori
infection in the causation of autoimmune thyroiditis.
The original article. Bertalot G, Montresor G,
Tampieri M, Spasiano A, Pedroni M, Milanesi B, Favret M, Manca N,
Negrini R. Decrease in thyroid autoantibodies after eradication
of Helicobacter pylori infection. Clin Endocrinol
(Oxf) 2004;61:650-52.
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