Duntas LH.

University of Ulm, Germany. ledunt@otenet.gr

Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Aug;4(8):454-60.

Autoimmune thyroiditis, of which Hashimoto thyroiditis represents the most frequent form, is an inflammatory state of the thyroid gland that results from the interaction between genetic variants that promote susceptibility and environmental factors. High iodine intake, selenium deficiency, pollutants such as tobacco smoke, infectious diseases such as chronic hepatitis C, and certain drugs are implicated in the development of autoimmune thyroiditis, primarily in genetically predisposed people. Long-term iodine exposure leads to increased iodination of thyroglobulin, which increases its antigenicity and initiates the autoimmune process in genetically susceptible individuals. Selenium deficiency decreases the activity of selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidases, which can lead to raised concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and thus promote inflammation and disease. Such environmental pollutants as smoke, polychlorinated biphenyls, solvents and metals have been implicated in the autoimmune process and inflammation. Environmental factors have not yet, however, been sufficiently investigated to clarify their roles in pathogenesis, and there is a need to assess their effects on development of the autoimmune process and the mechanisms of their interactions with susceptibility genes.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18607401?dopt=AbstractPlus

PMID: 18607401 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Bar-Sela S, Shoenfeld Y.

Allergy and Clinical Immunology Clinic, Kupat Holim Meuhedet, Israel.

Isr Med Assoc J. 2008 Jan;10(1):52-4

Two patients who worked for several years in the operation and maintenance of photocopy machines developed an autoimmune disease. In both, early manifestations were thromboembolic phenomena associated with anticardiolipin antibodies. Joint and kidney involvement emerged later, with the appearance of other autoantibodies. These two patients were occupationally exposed to ultraviolet irradiation, ozone emission, and possibly some oxides of heavy metals. To our knowledge this is the
first report of occupational autoimmune disease in photocopy machine workers, and the first description of antiphospholipid syndrome as an occupational disease. The possible cause-effect inter-relationship between their occupational exposure and autoimmune disease is discussed.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18300574?dopt=AbstractPlus

PMID: 18300574 [PubMed - in process]