Thyroid hormonal disturbances related to treatment of hepatitis C with interferon-alpha and ribavirin

OBJECTIVE: To characterize thyroid disturbances induced by interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. INTRODUCTION: Interferon-alpha is used to treat chronic hepatitis C infections. This compound commonly induces both autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroiditis. METHODS: We prospectively selected 26 patients with chronic hepatitis C infections. Clinical examinations, hormonal evaluations, and color-flow Doppler ultrasonography of the thyroid were performed before and during antiviral therapy. RESULTS: Of the patients in our study, 54% had no thyroid disorders associated with the interferon-alpha therapy but showed reduced levels of total T3 along with a decrease in serum alanine aminotransferase. Total T4 levels were also reduced at 3 and 12 months, but free T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels remained stable. A total of 19% of the subjects had autoimmune interferon-induced thyroiditis, which is characterized by an emerge of antithyroid antibodies or overt hypothyroidism. Additionally, 16% had non-autoimmune thyroiditis, which presents as destructive thyroiditis or subclinical hypothyroidism, and 11% remained in a state of euthyroidism despite the prior existence of antithyroidal antibodies. Thyrotoxicosis with destructive thyroiditis was diagnosed within three months of therapy, and ultrasonography of these patients revealed thyroid shrinkage and discordant change in the vascular patterns. DISCUSSION: Decreases in the total T3 and total T4 levels may be related to improvements in the hepatocellular lesions or inflammatory changes similar to those associated with nonthyroidal illnesses. The immune mechanisms and direct effects of interferon-alpha can be associated with thyroiditis. CONCLUSION: Interferon-alpha and ribavirin induce autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroiditis and hormonal changes (such as decreased total T3 and total T4 levels), which occur despite stable free T4 and TSH levels. A thyroid hormonal evaluation, including the analysis of the free T4, TSH, and antithyroid antibody levels, should be mandatory before therapy, and an early re-evaluation within three months of treatment is necessary as an appropriate follow-up

Thyroid evaluation of patients infected by hepatitis C virus: correlation with polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene

INTRODUÇÃO: Manifestações auto-imunes são frequentes na infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC). Apesar da associação com doenças auto-imunes de tireóide (DAIT) ser controversa, sabe-se que distúrbios tireoidianos podem surgir ou piorar com tratamento com IFN e ribavirina. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a função tireoidiana em pacientes infectados pelo VHC, caracterizar distúrbios tireoidianos antes, durante e após tratamento com IFN e estudar as frequências dos genótipos dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4, correlacionando-os com características clínicas e laboratoriais, presença de disfunção tireoidiana e evolução durante tratamento com IFN. MÉTODOS: Avaliação prospectiva de 112 indivíduos com infecção crônica pelo VHC, 30 tratados com IFN, e 183 controles. Realizaram-se avaliações clínica, hormonal e de auto-imunidade tireoidiana e ultra-sonografia de tireóide no início e durante tratamento. Avaliações de globulina transportadora de hormônios tireoidianos (TBG), de CXCL10 e de biópsia hepática foram feitas pré-tratamento. Análises dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4 -318C>T, A49G e CT60 foram realizadas por PCR-RFLP e de AT(n) por análise de fragmento através de eletroforese capilar. RESULTADOS: A frequência de DAIT entre infectados por VHC não diferiu dos controles (10,7 vs 13,5%, p=0,585). Os limites de distribuição dos níveis de T3 (T3T) e T4 (T4T) totais foram superiores aos de referência (T3T 112-246 ng/dL; T4T 7,8-15,2 g/dL), assim como de TBG (17-47 mg/L). TBG correlacionou-se com T3T (r=0,654, pT esteve relacionado com infecção pelos genótipos 1 (p=0,020, OR 0,19) e 3 (p=0,008, OR 9,13), assim como o alelo G do polimorfismo A49G (p=0,002, OR 0,38 e p=0,004, OR 2,49, respectivamente). Não se identificou relação dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4 com distúrbios tireoidianos, antes ou após tratamento com IFN. CONCLUSÕES: Não foi encontrada associação entre infecção por VHC e doenças tireoidianas. Indivíduos infectados por VHC têm maiores níveis de T3T e T4T, correlacionados com TBG. Aumento de CXCL10 não se associou com disfunção tireoidiana, mas se correlacionou com TBG, T3T e T4T. IFN provocou tireoidites auto-imunes e não auto-imunes, além de reduzir T3T e T4T coincidente com melhora de lesão hepática. Não se encontrou relação dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4 com características clínicas e laboratoriais ou presença de disfunção tireoidiana prévia ou induzida por IFNINTRODUCTION: Autoimmune disorders are frequent in patients infected by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although the association with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) is controversial, thyroid disturbance could occur or worsen with IFN and ribavirin treatment. The aims of the study were evaluate thyroid function in HCV-infected patients, characterize thyroid disturbance prior and after IFN treatment and analyze the frequency of the genotypes of the polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene, and their relation to clinical and laboratorial features, presence of thyroid dysfunction and disturbance along IFN treatment. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 112 chronically HCV-infected subjects, 30 treated with IFN, and 183 controls. Clinical, hormonal, thyroid autoimmunity and ultrasound exams were performed before and during treatment. Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), CXCL10 and hepatic biopsies were also evaluated before treatment. Analysis of polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene -318C>T, A49G and CT60 were made by PCR-RFLP and AT(n) polymorphism analysis by capillary electrophoresis in automatic sequencer. RESULTS: The frequency of AITD among HCV-infected subjects was similar to the rate among controls (10.7 vs 13.5%, p=0.585). Total T3 (T3T) and T4 (T4T) distributions were right shifted (T3T 112-246 ng/dL; T4T 7.8-15.2 g/dL), as was TBG (17-47 mg/L). TBG correlated to both T3T (r=0.654, pT polymorphism was associated with genotype 1 (p=0.020, OR 0.19) and 3 infections (p=0.008, OR 9.13), similar to allele G of A49G polymorphism (p=0.002, OR 0.38 and p=0.004, OR 2.49, respectively). No association of the polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene and thyroid disorders, prior or induced by IFN treatment, was found. CONCLUSIONS: No association between HCV-infection and thyroid diseases was found. HCV-infected subjects had higher T3T and T4T which were correlated to TBG. Increased CXCL10 was not associated to thyroid dysfunction, but correlated to TBG, T3T and T4T. IFN induced autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroiditis. IFN also reduced T3T and T4T levels commensurately with liver improvement. The polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene were not associated with clinical and laboratorial features or presence of thyroid dysfunction, prior or induced by IF

Thyroid evaluation of patients infected by hepatitis C virus: correlation with polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene

INTRODUÇÃO: Manifestações auto-imunes são frequentes na infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC). Apesar da associação com doenças auto-imunes de tireóide (DAIT) ser controversa, sabe-se que distúrbios tireoidianos podem surgir ou piorar com tratamento com IFN e ribavirina. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a função tireoidiana em pacientes infectados pelo VHC, caracterizar distúrbios tireoidianos antes, durante e após tratamento com IFN e estudar as frequências dos genótipos dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4, correlacionando-os com características clínicas e laboratoriais, presença de disfunção tireoidiana e evolução durante tratamento com IFN. MÉTODOS: Avaliação prospectiva de 112 indivíduos com infecção crônica pelo VHC, 30 tratados com IFN, e 183 controles. Realizaram-se avaliações clínica, hormonal e de auto-imunidade tireoidiana e ultra-sonografia de tireóide no início e durante tratamento. Avaliações de globulina transportadora de hormônios tireoidianos (TBG), de CXCL10 e de biópsia hepática foram feitas pré-tratamento. Análises dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4 -318C>T, A49G e CT60 foram realizadas por PCR-RFLP e de AT(n) por análise de fragmento através de eletroforese capilar. RESULTADOS: A frequência de DAIT entre infectados por VHC não diferiu dos controles (10,7 vs 13,5%, p=0,585). Os limites de distribuição dos níveis de T3 (T3T) e T4 (T4T) totais foram superiores aos de referência (T3T 112-246 ng/dL; T4T 7,8-15,2 g/dL), assim como de TBG (17-47 mg/L). TBG correlacionou-se com T3T (r=0,654, pT esteve relacionado com infecção pelos genótipos 1 (p=0,020, OR 0,19) e 3 (p=0,008, OR 9,13), assim como o alelo G do polimorfismo A49G (p=0,002, OR 0,38 e p=0,004, OR 2,49, respectivamente). Não se identificou relação dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4 com distúrbios tireoidianos, antes ou após tratamento com IFN. CONCLUSÕES: Não foi encontrada associação entre infecção por VHC e doenças tireoidianas. Indivíduos infectados por VHC têm maiores níveis de T3T e T4T, correlacionados com TBG. Aumento de CXCL10 não se associou com disfunção tireoidiana, mas se correlacionou com TBG, T3T e T4T. IFN provocou tireoidites auto-imunes e não auto-imunes, além de reduzir T3T e T4T coincidente com melhora de lesão hepática. Não se encontrou relação dos polimorfismos do gene CTLA4 com características clínicas e laboratoriais ou presença de disfunção tireoidiana prévia ou induzida por IFNINTRODUCTION: Autoimmune disorders are frequent in patients infected by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although the association with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) is controversial, thyroid disturbance could occur or worsen with IFN and ribavirin treatment. The aims of the study were evaluate thyroid function in HCV-infected patients, characterize thyroid disturbance prior and after IFN treatment and analyze the frequency of the genotypes of the polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene, and their relation to clinical and laboratorial features, presence of thyroid dysfunction and disturbance along IFN treatment. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 112 chronically HCV-infected subjects, 30 treated with IFN, and 183 controls. Clinical, hormonal, thyroid autoimmunity and ultrasound exams were performed before and during treatment. Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), CXCL10 and hepatic biopsies were also evaluated before treatment. Analysis of polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene -318C>T, A49G and CT60 were made by PCR-RFLP and AT(n) polymorphism analysis by capillary electrophoresis in automatic sequencer. RESULTS: The frequency of AITD among HCV-infected subjects was similar to the rate among controls (10.7 vs 13.5%, p=0.585). Total T3 (T3T) and T4 (T4T) distributions were right shifted (T3T 112-246 ng/dL; T4T 7.8-15.2 g/dL), as was TBG (17-47 mg/L). TBG correlated to both T3T (r=0.654, pT polymorphism was associated with genotype 1 (p=0.020, OR 0.19) and 3 infections (p=0.008, OR 9.13), similar to allele G of A49G polymorphism (p=0.002, OR 0.38 and p=0.004, OR 2.49, respectively). No association of the polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene and thyroid disorders, prior or induced by IFN treatment, was found. CONCLUSIONS: No association between HCV-infection and thyroid diseases was found. HCV-infected subjects had higher T3T and T4T which were correlated to TBG. Increased CXCL10 was not associated to thyroid dysfunction, but correlated to TBG, T3T and T4T. IFN induced autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroiditis. IFN also reduced T3T and T4T levels commensurately with liver improvement. The polymorphisms of CTLA4 gene were not associated with clinical and laboratorial features or presence of thyroid dysfunction, prior or induced by IF

Factitious thyrotoxicosis induced by mesotherapy: A case report

Context: Mesotherapy consists of cutaneous injections of a mixture of compounds and has recently been used for cosmetic purposes to reduce local fat and cellulite. To date, several reports have described only local adverse events related to this therapy. We describe the first report of a female patient who developed thyrotoxicosis due to cosmetic mesotherapy with triiodothyroacetic acid in its formulation. Apart from mechanical rupture of the epidermal barrier, a disturbance of type III deiodinase activity or skin fibroblast paracrine function and vascular alterations related to simultaneously injected vasoactive compounds were observed. These findings could be related to thyroid hormone metabolite absorption and systemic consequences in the reported case. Conclusion: We describe factitious thyrotoxicosis induced by mesotherapy, to raise awareness of a systemic adverse effect resulting from this widespread cosmetic practice

Uma rara causa de dispnéia com apresentação singular na tomografia computadorizada de tórax: síndrome de ativação macrofágica A very rare cause of dyspnea with a unique presentation on a computed tomography scan of the chest: macrophage activation syndrome

A síndrome de ativação macrofágica é uma doença rara e potencialmente fatal. Ela ocorre devido a uma alteração no sistema imunológico, com excessiva proliferação de macrófagos, geralmente causando hepatoesplenomegalia, pancitopenia e disfunção hepática. Neste artigo, relatamos uma raríssima apresentação da síndrome de ativação macrofágica como insuficiência respiratória, bem como a primeira descrição de nódulo escavado, vidro fosco e consolidação na tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução de pulmão (simulando uma pneumonia ou hemorragia alveolar) e o sucesso terapêutico com o uso de imunoglobulina humana. Assim, sugerimos que a síndrome de ativação macrofágica seja colocada no diagnóstico diferencial de causas de insuficiência respiratória e que o rápido diagnóstico e tratamento seja imperativo para a boa evolução do paciente.Macrophage activation syndrome is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease. It occurs due to immune dysregulation manifested as excessive macrophage proliferation, typically causing hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia and hepatic dysfunction. Here, we report an unusual case of macrophage activation syndrome presenting as dyspnea, as well as (reported here for the first time) high resolution computed tomography findings of an excavated nodule, diffuse ground glass opacities and consolidations (mimicking severe pneumonia or alveolar hemorrhage). The patient was successfully treated with human immunoglobulin. We recommend that macrophage activation syndrome be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory failure. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to achieving favorable outcomes in patients with this syndrome