ABSENCE OF SEROLOGIC EVIDENCE FOR HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH HASHIMOTOS-THYROIDITIS

Background/Aims: This paper explores the reported association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Materi als and Methods: The results of serologic testing for anti-HCV antibod y levels were documented in 28 patients (19 female, 9 male) with Hashi moto's thyroiditis and 23 age and gender matched controls with non-Has himoto's thyroid disorders. Results: The anti-HCV results were negativ e in both groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that despite a r eported high prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in patients with ch ronic HCV infections, the reverse is not true and hence routine anti-H CV screening cannot be advocated for patients with Hashimoto's thyroid itis.