Diabetes in mice after Coxsackie B 4 virus infection

The intraperitoneal inoculation of CD(1) mice with Coxsackie virus B(4) resulted in the raising of blood sugar levels to diabetic values 12 days after the administration of the virus. Serum insulin remained inappropriately low. Light microscopy changes in the islets of Langerhans showed mononuclear cell infiltration of the islets and marked degranulation of the beta cells. The acinar tissue appeared to be little changed. It is concluded that Coxsackie B(4) virus may cause a diabetic state compatible with islet cell damage.