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Author

Debora Ricci

Other affiliations: World Health Organization
Bio: Debora Ricci is an academic researcher from University of Pisa. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thyroglobulin & Thyroiditis. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 19 publications receiving 564 citations. Previous affiliations of Debora Ricci include World Health Organization.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first case of SAT related to SARS-CoV-2 infection is reported and clinicians are alerted to additional and unreported clinical manifestations associated with COVID-19.
Abstract: Context Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a thyroid disease of viral or postviral origin. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that began in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly worldwide and Italy has been severely affected by this outbreak. Objectives The objective of this work is to report the first case of SAT related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We describe the clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of an 18-year-old woman who came to our attention for fever, neck pain radiated to the jaw, and palpitations occurring 15 days after a SARS-CoV-2-positive oropharyngeal swab. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been mild and the patient had completely recovered in a few days. Results At physical examination the patient presented with a slightly increased heart rate and a painful and enlarged thyroid on palpation. At laboratory exams free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were high, thyrotropin undetectable, and inflammatory markers and white blood cell count elevated. Bilateral and diffuse hypoechoic areas were detected at neck ultrasound. One month earlier, thyroid function and imaging both were normal. We diagnosed SAT and the patient started prednisone. Neck pain and fever recovered within 2 days and the remaining symptoms within 1 week. Thyroid function and inflammatory markers normalized in 40 days. Conclusions We report the first case of SAT after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. We alert clinicians to additional and unreported clinical manifestations associated with COVID-19.

271 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Clinical, biochemical and imaging features of the 4 patients with SAT related to SARS-CoV-2 infection are described to alert physicians that SAT may be an underestimated manifestation of COVID-19.
Abstract: Context Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 18 million people worldwide and the pandemic is still spreading. After the first case we reported, we observed 4 additional cases of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objectives The objective of this work is to describe additional cases of SAT associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection to alert physicians that SAT may be a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We describe clinical, biochemical, and imaging features of 4 patients with SAT related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results All patients were female (age, 29-46 years). SAT developed 16 to 36 days after the resolution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Neck pain radiated to the jaw and palpitations were the main presenting symptoms and were associated with fever and asthenia. One patient was hospitalized because of atrial fibrillation. Thyroid function tests (available for 3 individuals) were suggestive of destructive thyroiditis, and inflammatory markers were high. At neck ultrasound the thyroid was enlarged, with diffuse and bilateral hypoechoic areas and (in 3 patients) absent vascularization at color Doppler. Symptoms disappeared a few days after commencement of treatment (prednisone in 3 patients and ibuprofen in 1). Six weeks after the onset of SAT, all patients were asymptomatic and inflammatory markers had returned to normal range. Two patients were euthyroid, whereas 2 were diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusions SAT may be an underestimated manifestation of COVID-19. Clinicians should keep in mind the possible occurrence of SAT during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

133 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The pattern of Tg recognition is similar when HT patients are compared to GD and NTMG to PTC patients and differs when AITD are compared with non-AITD patients.
Abstract: Context: Thyroglobulin (Tg) epitopes of serum Tg autoantibodies (TgAb) have been characterized using inhibition of Tg binding by human monoclonal TgAb in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) [Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD)] but not in non-AITD [nontoxic multinodular goiter (NTMG) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)]. Objective: Our objective was to compare Tg epitopes of serum TgAb from patients with AITD, non-AITD, and PTC associated with histological thyroiditis (PTC-T) using inhibition of Tg binding by four recombinant human TgAb-Fab (epitopic regions A–D). Design: Inhibition of Tg binding of 24 HT, 25 GD, 19 NTMG, 15 PTC, and 25 PTC-T TgAb-positive sera by each TgAb-Fab was evaluated in ELISA. Inhibition by the pool of the four TgAb-Fab was evaluated using labeled Tg. Results: Levels of inhibition were different for TgAb-Fab regions A (P = 0.001), B (0.007), and D (0.011). Inhibition by region A TgAb-Fab was significantly higher in HT, GD, and PTC-T than in NTMG and PTC patients...

71 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Iodine-induced thyroid autoimmunity is related to TgAb and the unmasking of a cryptic epitope on Tg contributes to this relationship in humans.
Abstract: Context: The mechanisms linking thyroid autoimmunity and iodine use in humans are unknown. Objective: Our aim was to correlate iodine intake, thyroid autoimmunity, and recognition of thyroglobulin (Tg) epitopes after implementation of iodine prophylaxis. Setting: The general community living in an Italian village was evaluated. Main Outcome Measures: Thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAb), thyroperoxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb), and urinary iodine excretion were assessed in 906 iodized salt users (IS-users) and 389 nonusers (IS-nonusers). Ultrasound (US) was performed to identify thyroid hypoechogenicity, suggestive of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). TgAb epitope pattern in 16 IS-users and 17 IS-nonusers was evaluated by an inhibition binding assay to Tg, using human monoclonal TgAb-Fab directed to A, B, C, and D epitopes on Tg. Results: Median urinary iodine excretion was slightly higher in IS-users than in IS-nonusers (112.0 μg/L vs 86.5 μg/L; P < .01). TgAb, and not TPOAb, was more frequent in IS-users (18.9%...

67 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In papillary thyroid carcinoma, LT on histology must be carefully searched for because it is frequently associated with TgAb and therefore mistakenly low or undetectable Tg, which can be underestimated in patients with T g autoantibodies (TgAb).
Abstract: Context: Serum thyroglobulin (Tg), the marker of residual tumor in papillary thyroid carcinoma, can be underestimated in patients with Tg autoantibodies (TgAb) TgAb are due to a coexistent lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT) or the papillary thyroid carcinoma per se TgAb assays are highly discordant Design: We evaluated 141 patients with a clinical diagnosis of nodular thyroid disease, 32 of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and four of Graves' disease, who underwent total thyroidectomy for an associated papillary thyroid carcinoma Patients were classified as papillary thyroid carcinoma-lymphocytic thyroiditis (PTC-T) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) according to the presence or absence of LT on histology Tg was measured before thyroid remnant ablation, when it is expectedly detectable, by an immunometric assay (IMA) and TgAb by three noncompetitive IMA and three competitive radioimmunoassays (RIA) The number of lymphocytes was compared with TgAb concentration Results: Seventy-two of 177 patients (407%) were

59 citations


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01 Nov 2009-Thyroid
TL;DR: Evidence-based recommendations are developed to inform clinical decision-making in the management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer and represent, in the authors' opinion, contemporary optimal care for patients with these disorders.
Abstract: Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem, and differentiated thyroid cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent. Since the American Thyroid Association's (ATA's) guidelines for the management of these disorders were revised in 2009, significant scientific advances have occurred in the field. The aim of these guidelines is to inform clinicians, patients, researchers, and health policy makers on published evidence relating to the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods: The specific clinical questions addressed in these guidelines were based on prior versions of the guidelines, stakeholder input, and input of task force members. Task force panel members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database searching, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Published English language articles on adults were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians Guideline Gr...

10,501 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of the current literature on post-acute COVID-19, its pathophysiology and its organ-specific sequelae is provided in this paper, where the authors discuss relevant considerations for the multidisciplinary care of COPD survivors and propose a framework for the identification of those at high risk for COPD and their coordinated management through dedicated COPD clinics.
Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has resulted in global healthcare crises and strained health resources. As the population of patients recovering from COVID-19 grows, it is paramount to establish an understanding of the healthcare issues surrounding them. COVID-19 is now recognized as a multi-organ disease with a broad spectrum of manifestations. Similarly to post-acute viral syndromes described in survivors of other virulent coronavirus epidemics, there are increasing reports of persistent and prolonged effects after acute COVID-19. Patient advocacy groups, many members of which identify themselves as long haulers, have helped contribute to the recognition of post-acute COVID-19, a syndrome characterized by persistent symptoms and/or delayed or long-term complications beyond 4 weeks from the onset of symptoms. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on post-acute COVID-19, its pathophysiology and its organ-specific sequelae. Finally, we discuss relevant considerations for the multidisciplinary care of COVID-19 survivors and propose a framework for the identification of those at high risk for post-acute COVID-19 and their coordinated management through dedicated COVID-19 clinics.

2,307 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Optimisation of population iodine intake is an important component of preventive health care to reduce the prevalence of thyroid disorders.

441 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2017-Cancer
TL;DR: The author notes 3 new basic principles that have emerged in this guidelines revision: the management of thyroid nodules, including the decision to perform a fine‐needle aspiration biopsy as well as follow-up decision making will be heavily influenced by the newly developed sonographic risk pattern.
Abstract: Thyroid nodules are very common, and thyroid cancer is currently the fifth leading cancer diagnosis in women. The American Thyroid Association has led the development and revision of guidelines for the management of patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The most current revision was published in the January 2016 issue of the journal Thyroid. The current guidelines have 101 recommendations, with 8 figures and 17 tables that are hopefully helpful to those treating patients with thyroid nodules and cancer. The primary goals of the American Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force were to use the current evidence to guide recommendations and yet be as helpful and practical as possible within the scope and strength of the evidence. The current review focuses on new and significantly revised recommendations that may very well change clinical practice. The author notes 3 new basic principles that have emerged in this guidelines revision: 1) the management of thyroid nodules, including the decision to perform a fine-needle aspiration biopsy as well as follow-up decision making, will be heavily influenced by the newly developed sonographic risk pattern; 2) the long-term management of DTC along with thyroid-stimulating hormone target goals will be heavily influenced by the 4 categories of “response to therapy”; and 3) the management of patients with radioactive iodine-refractory DTC will be divided into 4 basic decision-making groups: patients who should undergo monitoring, patients who should undergo directed therapies, patients who should undergo systemic therapies, and patients who should be offered entry into clinical trials. Cancer 2017;123:372–381. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

410 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a review of organ-specific sequelae of post-COVID-19 syndromes is presented, elaborating on persistent inflammation, induced autoimmunity and putative viral reservoirs.
Abstract: The world continues to contend with successive waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), fueled by the emergence of viral variants. At the same time, persistent, prolonged and often debilitating sequelae are increasingly recognized in convalescent individuals, named 'post-COVID-19 syndrome' or 'long-haul COVID'. Clinical symptomatology includes fatigue, malaise, dyspnea, defects in memory and concentration and a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes as the major manifestations, and several organ systems can be involved. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood at present. This Review details organ-specific sequelae of post-COVID-19 syndromes and examines the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms available so far, elaborating on persistent inflammation, induced autoimmunity and putative viral reservoirs. Finally, we propose diagnostic strategies to better understand this heterogeneous disorder that continues to afflict millions of people worldwide.

302 citations