Gut microbiome Lactobacillus acidophilus and its relationship with thyroid nodules and thyroid hormonal profile.

Introduction: Thyroid diseases are often associated with the amounts and functioning of thyroid hormones, which may have an impact on the makeup of gut microbiomes. Multiple studies have shown a correlation between gut microbiota and both Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. However, there is no proven link between the gut microbiota and thyroid nodules. Researchers will examine the correlation between Lactobacillus acidophilus and thyroid nodules and hormones.

Materials and methods: This work is a prospective case-control investigation undertaken from 2021 to 2022 at endocrine clinics situated at Ain Shams University in Cairo. A total of 90 participants, 30 as a control group (group C), 30 patients with benign thyroid nodules (group A), and 30 patients with malignant thyroid nodules (group B) participated in the study. Measurements of hormonal profile, serum selenium, zinc, thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO), and stool polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Lactobacillus acidophilus levels were made in all groups.

Results: The cycle threshold (CT) at which lactobacilli PCR was expressed in group A was 32.340 ± 5.025 while in group B it was 34.957 ± 5.834 and in group C it was 27.530 ± 5.834, p < 0.001. There was highly significant variation between the studied groups.

Conclusion: The stool count of Lactobacillus acidophilus PCR showed a significant difference across the groups under study.