Coronavirus as a Trigger Of Graves' Disease

Thyroid Autoimmunity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological culprit of COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), can enter the cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which has been found in several tissues including in endocrine organs, such as the ovaries, testes, pancreas, and thyroid. Several thyroid disorders have been associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection [subacute thyroiditis (SAT), thyrotoxicosis, and non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS)] and, in part, they are believed to be secondary to the local virus replication within the gland cells. However, as documented for other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 seems to interfere with several aspects of the immune system, inducing the synthesis of autoantibodies and triggering latent or new onset autoimmune disease (AID), including autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), such as Hashimoto Thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD). Several mechanisms have been hypothesized to explain this induction of autoimmunity by SARS-CoV-2 infection: the immune system hyper-stimulation, the molecular mimicry between the self-antigens of the host and the virus, neutrophils extracellular traps, and finally, the virus induced transcriptional changes in the immune genes; nonetheless, more evidence is needed especially from large, long-term cohort studies involving COVID-19 patients, to establish or reject this pathogenetic relationship.

Management of thyroiditis in the context of Covid-19: cause-effect and beyond

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in late 2019, and by 2020, everyone was affected. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) belongs to the beta-coronavirus genre and uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to penetrate cells. Thyroid cells are rich in such receptors. Therefore, this gland is frequently involved alongside other organs in the COVID-19 disease.

Aim

To describe COVID-19 inflammation and, eventually, dysregulations of normal thyroid function in a case series of patients diagnosed in a tertiary endocrinology care centre.

Patients and Methods

We described subacute thyroiditis cases related to COVID-19 infection or vaccination against SARS-CoV2 infection (clinical manifestations and evolution). We also reviewed the literature data regarding COVID-19 infection or vaccination implications in thyroid pathology.

Results

The literature describes two types of thyroid involvement in SARS-CoV2 infection or vaccination: subacute thyroiditis (SAT) and non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS). In our case series, 5 patients (3 males), aged 41-54 years, developed the classical clinical manifestation of SAT related to COVID-19 infection (3 patients, concomitantly to upper respiratory infection or a few weeks apart) or anti-SARS-CoV2 ARNm vaccination (1-2 weeks after the vaccine administration). Clinical, laboratory and imaging findings and the evolution (steroid anti-inflammatory treatment used in 4/5 cases) were unremarkable compared to other SAT etiologies.

Conclusion

We found no differences between the "typical" viral and post-COVID-19 SAT regarding clinical presentation, severity, response to treatment, and thyroid function alteration. The only remarkable difference is the association of SAT with anti-SARS-CoV2 ARNm vaccination.

SUBACUTE THYROIDITIS FOLLOWING SARS-COV-2 VACCINATION: AN AUTOIMMUNE/INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME INDUCED BY ADJUVANTS (ASIA SYNDROME)

Context

Subacute thyroiditis, a manifestation of Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants that may develop after vaccination.

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 in the etiology of subacute thyroiditis.

Design

This case reports/series is an observational, descriptive research design.

Subjects and Methods

Five of the thirty patients who applied to our clinic with subacute thyroiditis in the last 6 months had a history of inactivated and mRNA vaccines in the last four weeks, after exclusion of infection and comorbidities. We present three cases of mRNA-based vaccination and two cases of inactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination that met ASIA criteria.

Results

Our findings suggest that subacute thyroiditis may be a complication of vaccination against COVID-19.

Conclusion

Vaccine administration may led to autoimmune manifestation induction as well as autoantibody production. Adjuvant-induced autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome, an abnormal autoimmune response as a result of exposure to an adjuvant such as vaccine, appears likely in our cases.

Acute febrile illness in a teenage female with history of Graves' disease

Thyroid storm is a rare, life-threatening condition that is usually precipitated by Graves' disease in children and adolescents. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) can cause multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS C), which shares some features of Graves' disease. We present a case of acute thyroid storm following SARS-CoV-2 infection in a 16-year-old female with poorly controlled Graves' disease. She initially presented to the emergency department for fever and palpitations. Initial laboratory results suggested thyroid storm, for which she was started on propranolol. She remained tachycardic with new gallop rhythm on exam. An echocardiogram demonstrated a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and mild pulmonary hypertension. Her SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were positive. She was started on intravenous immunoglobulin for suspected MIS-C. She responded to combined treatment of thyroid storm and MIS-C. She was discharged home on propranolol, methimazole, cholestyramine and aspirin.

COVID-induced thyroid autoimmunity

Breakdown of self-tolerance to thyroid antigens (thyroperoxidase, thyroglobulin and the thyrotropin-receptor) is the driver of thyroid autoimmunity. It has been suggested that infectious disease might trigger autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Involvement of the thyroid has been reported during severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, in the form of subacute thyroiditis in subjects with mild coronavirus disease 19 disease (COVID-19) and of painless, destructive thyroiditis in hospitalized patients with severe infection. In addition, cases of AITD, both Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), have been reported in association with (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In this review, we focus on the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and occurrence of AITD. Nine cases of GD strictly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection and only three cases of HT associated to COVID-19 infection have been reported. No study has demonstrated a role of AITD as a risk factor for a poor prognosis of COVID-19 infection.

Thyrotoxicosis after COVID-19 Infection with a Delay in Graves' Disease Antibody Positivity

Background and Objective. Mounting evidence implicates COVID-19 as a cause of thyroid dysfunction, including thyrotoxicosis due to both thyroiditis and Graves' disease (GD). In this report, we present a case of thyrotoxicosis following COVID-19 infection that was ultimately found to represent GD with significantly delayed diagnostic serum antibody positivity. Case Report. A 65-year-old woman with a history of uncomplicated COVID-19 infection one month prior, presented to the Emergency Department with exertional dyspnea and palpitations, and was found to be in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (AF with RVR). Labs showed subclinical hyperthyroidism and the patient was started on a beta-blocker and methimazole. One month later, thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) resulted negative and thyroid function tests had normalized. The clinical picture suggested thyroiditis, and methimazole was stopped. One month later, the patient again presented in AF with RVR, with labs showing overt biochemical thyrotoxicosis. Antibodies were re-tested, and the thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) and TSI resulted positive, confirming GD. Discussion. Most notable in this case is the feature of delayed GD antibody positivity: the diagnostic immunoassay for GD resulted negative one and two months after infection, but was ultimately positive three months after infection. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the longest delayed antibody positivity reported to date, amongst cases of new-onset GD following COVID. Conclusion. The clinical course of GD following COVID-19 infection is highly variable. This case underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring for delayed GD antibody positivity due to the important therapeutic implications of distinguishing thyroiditis from GD.