A Classification of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Based on Immunohistochemistry for IgG4 and IgG

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is a common organ-specific autoimmune disease. Antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb), predominantly of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G class, are hallmarks of HT. It has been reported that HT can be divided into IgG4 and non-IgG4 thyroiditis. The aim of our study was to investigate the meaning of this classification. Methods: Thyroid sections from 53 Hashimoto's patients...