Autoimmune Granulomatous Thyroiditis in Inbred Mice: Resemblance to Subacute (de Quervain's) Thyroiditis in Man

Mice in various inbred strains were immunized with mouse thyroglobulin emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. Granulomatous thyroid lesions were observed only in RF and SJL mice. These lesions were studied ultrastructurally and showed similarities with subacute (de Quervain's) thyroiditis in man. Thyroid function tests, e.g., the concentration of serum thyroxine and thyroid radioiodine uptake showed similarities between these two diseases. Such findings have not been previously described in experimental thyroiditis.