Immunofluorescent Findings in Graves' Disease and Hashimoto's Disease

Abstract

Direet immunofluorescent study with antisera against Ig G, A, M, C3 & fibrinogen was performed on thyroid specimens from 21 cases of Graves' disease and 11 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis to define immunofluorescent findings in each disorder and their functional significance, with the following results; 1. Ninety five % of Graves' disease cases showed significant granular immunofluorescent deposit along follicular basement menbrane and remainder showed scanty granular deposit on interfollicular space. 2. Forty five % of Hashimoto's thyroiditis cases showed immunofluorescent deposit along follicular basement membrane, whereas 63% showed deposition on interfollicular space. 3. Three cases histologically appreciated as Hashimoto's thyroiditis had significant deposit along follicular basement membrane, and all of them showed physical findings and past history compatible with Graves' disease. 4. 'there was no significant correlation between immunofluorescent deposit, and thyroid function or the presence of thyroid autoantibodies. 5. Comparing immunofluorescent studies with light microscopic findings, degree of immunofluorescent deposit along follicular basement membrane was correlated well with the degree of lymphocytic infiltration in Graves' disease. In this study, it was shown that the pattern of immunofluorescent deposition in Graves' disease was different from that of Hashimoto's disease, and the degree of immunofluorescent deposit along follicular basement membrane was correlated well with the degree of lymphocytic infiltration in Graves' disease.