Yersinia Enterocolitica and Thyroid Autoimmunity

Abstract

The concordance rate of Graves disease in pairs of identical twins of 30 to 60% points to the influence of environmental factors, and infections have often been incriminated in the pathogenesis^9,12.17. More than 15 years ago we demonstrated an increased frequency of antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica (Y. ent.) serotype 3¹. which later was confirmed by others,^19.20 suggesting a link between infection with Y. ent. and autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Key Words:

• Graves' disease
• yersinia enrerocolitica
• autoimmunity