Molecular estimation of alteration in intestinal microbial composition in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients Original paper
Researched by:
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Kimberly Eyer
ID
Kimberly Eyer
Kimberly Eyer, a Registered Nurse with 30 years of nursing experience across diverse settings, including Home Health, ICU, Operating Room Nursing, and Research. Her roles have encompassed Operating Room Nurse, RN First Assistant, and Acting Director of a Same Day Surgery Center. Her specialty areas include Adult Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Neurosurgery.
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Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
OverviewHashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the progressive destruction of thyroid follicles due to chronic inflammation, often leading to hypothyroidism. It affects 10-12% of the global population, with a significantly higher prevalence among women. While its etiology involves genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors, increasing evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota in […]
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Kimberly Eyer
Researched by:
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Kimberly Eyer
ID
Kimberly Eyer
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
Location
China
Sample Site
Feces
Species
Homo sapiens
What was studied?
This study evaluated the intestinal microbiota of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) to determine microbial alterations that may contribute to disease pathogenesis. The authors utilized a combination of PCR-DGGE, real-time PCR, and 16S rRNA V4 region pyrosequencing to assess both the quantitative and qualitative composition of gut microbial communities. Their aim was to characterize differences in microbial diversity, richness, and taxa-specific abundance between HT patients and healthy controls, thereby exploring the hypothesis that gut dysbiosis plays a role in autoimmune thyroid inflammation.
Who was studied?
The study included 29 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 12 healthy control participants. HT patients were diagnosed based on clinical criteria and confirmed to have elevated thyroid antibodies. Fecal samples were collected from all participants. From these, 20 samples (10 HT, 10 controls) were randomly selected for pyrosequencing analysis, while the full cohort was used in PCR-DGGE and real-time PCR assays targeting select microbial groups (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Clostridium leptum, Bacteroides vulgatus).
What were the most important findings?
The study revealed significant alterations in gut microbial diversity and composition in HT patients compared to controls. At the phylum level, there was an increased relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and a decrease in Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Family-level analysis showed reduced Prevotellaceae and Veillonellaceae, which are typically associated with anti-inflammatory properties and immune regulation via T regulatory cells. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae and Alcaligenaceae were elevated in HT. At the genus level, Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella were enriched in HT patients, while Prevotella_9 and Dialister were depleted. The species-level analysis indicated a particularly increased abundance of Escherichia coli, reinforcing its potential role as a proinflammatory agent in HT-associated dysbiosis.
Real-time PCR corroborated these findings, showing significantly decreased levels of beneficial genera such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Alpha diversity indices (Chao1, ACE, observed species) were significantly higher in HT, suggesting overgrowth rather than loss of diversity, while Good’s coverage was better in controls, indicating more stable and predictable microbial communities.
| Microbial Feature | Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) | Control Group | Clinical/Research Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phylum-level Changes | ↑ Proteobacteria, ↑ Actinobacteria | ↑ Bacteroidetes, ↑ Firmicutes | Indicative of proinflammatory and dysbiotic state |
| Family-level Shifts | ↓ Prevotellaceae, ↓ Veillonellaceae, ↑ Enterobacteriaceae, ↑ Alcaligenaceae | Balanced distribution | Suggests immune dysregulation and potential gut barrier defects |
| Genus-level Alterations | ↑ Escherichia-Shigella, ↑ Parasutterella, ↓ Prevotella_9, ↓ Dialister | Stable commensal profile | Signifies loss of anti-inflammatory taxa; potential MMA candidates |
| Species-level Highlight | ↑ Escherichia coli | Low E. coli abundance | May act as pathogenic trigger in HT pathology |
| Functional Markers (PCR) | ↓ Bifidobacterium, ↓ Lactobacillus | Normal probiotic levels | Reduced protective flora may increase inflammation and permeability |
| Alpha Diversity | ↑ Observed species, ↑ richness indices | Lower diversity, higher Good’s coverage | Overgrowth with instability in microbial community |
What are the greatest implications of this study?
This study provides compelling evidence that gut microbiota in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is significantly dysregulated. The shift toward increased abundance of pathobionts such as Escherichia coli and depletion of immunoregulatory commensals suggests a potential causal role for microbial factors in perpetuating autoimmune thyroid inflammation. The elevation in Proteobacteria—a phylum linked to gut barrier dysfunction and systemic inflammation—further supports this pathophysiological model. These findings highlight several major microbial associations (MMAs) in HT, including increased Escherichia-Shigella and decreased Prevotella and Dialister, which may serve as biomarkers for disease or targets for microbial therapies. Interventions to restore microbial balance, such as probiotics or dietary modulation, warrant exploration as adjunct therapies in HT management. Moreover, this study underscores the value of integrating gut microbiome profiling into endocrine autoimmune diagnostics.