Multiglandular Autoimmune Diseases of the Thyroid, Salivary Gland, and Liver along with Atrophic Gastritis: A Case Report

Abstract

Multiple mechanisms have been suggested for the pathogenesis of these multiglandular autoimmune diseases. One of proposed mechanisms in the multiglandular autoimmune disease is initiated by antibodies. However, the results are not definitive and remain controversial. We investigated a woman with multiple autoimmune diseases, in whose serum the mRNA of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) was found by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In this patient, multiple autoimmune diseases were initially developed as thyroiditis, followed by Sjögren syndrome, hepatitis, and finally a diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. NIS is known to be expressed on organs affected by these diseases. The mRNA of NIS was found in the serum of this patient by nested RT-PCR. The pathogenesis of multiglandular autoimmune disease is still not clear. We suggest that anti NIS antibodies can serve as a marker to monitor the pathogenesis of multiglandular autoimmune disease.