Parvovirus B19 detection analysis in thyroid tissue paired samples: an observational study from a tertiary surgical oncology department.

Purpose In the present study, we sought to investigate the presence of Parvovirus B19 in both abnormal and normal adjacent thyroid tissue specimens after total thyroidectomy as well as the extent that this phenomenon occurs in a population group referred to a tertiary surgical oncology department. Methods We detected Parvovirus B19 by Real-Time PCR in both abnormal and normal adjacent thyroid tissue specimens from 41 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid disease (cancerous or benign). Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid gland weight, maximum size of the predominant thyroid nodule as well as sex and age of the patients were also evaluated in respect to the Parvovirus B19 presence. Results Parvovirus B19 virus genome was detected in 21/41 (51.2%) patients in at least one of the paired thyroid tissue samples. No statistically significant difference was noted regarding the sex, age, postoperative diagnosis, thyroid weight and maximum nodule diameter and presence of multifocal disease. The correlation between the incidence of Hashimoto thyroiditis and absence of Parvovirus B19 genome was statistically significant. Conclusion Our findings showed high prevalence of Parvovirus B19 DNA in thyroid tissue disease in the population examined. Its actual role of the virus and its potential implication in the development or progression of thyroid diseases remain to be elucidated. Larger cohort studies are needed in order to validate a quasi-mutually exclusive role of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Parvovirus B19 presence in thyroid disease in terms of geographical distribution.