First observation of an Hashimoto thyroiditis-like disease in horses from Eastern Europe: histopathological and immunological findings.

This research found evidence of a disease similar to Hashimoto thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, in horses from Eastern Europe. The study examined a selection of thyroid glands from 622 slaughtered horses and found microscopic changes that suggested the presence of this condition.

Study Criteria

• The scientists involved in this research selected 156 thyroid glands from a total of 622 horses slaughtered for examination.
• This selection was based on the macroscopic alterations visible. This could involve changes in the volume and weight of the thyroid gland.

Finding and Diagnosis

• Out of these, around 80%, presented microscopic changes that were consistent with a diagnosis of a disease similar to Hashimoto thyroiditis.
• Specificities included a disrupted architecture of the thyroid gland with noticeable colloid rarefaction, lymphocytic infiltration, and fibrosis. These are typically indicators of the condition in humans.

Validation

• The diagnosis was further confirmed by noting an increased serum concentration of thyroglobulin, along with antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies.
• These chemicals are known to increase in the presence of Hashimoto thyroiditis and hence confirmed the diagnosis.

Implications and Further Research

• Despite the strong evidence obtained for the presence of a Hashimoto thyroiditis-like disease in horses from Eastern Europe, more work remains to be done to fully understand the cause (etiopathogenesis) of this autoimmune disorder.
• In some horse samples, histopathological changes in the pituitary gland were also noted which suggests the presence of an unidentified disorder affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis. This condition could potentially be associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis, but more research is required to confirm and understand this relationship.