The development of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus: two contrasting presentations

Genetic, immunological and viral factors have been implicated in pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The development of Type 1 diabetes in two siblings of patients with Type 1 diabetes studied as part of a large epidemiological study, is described. One case, a 13-year-old male not sharing either HLA haplotype with his diabetic sister, had virtually normal glucose tolerance 80 days before symptomatic presentation. He showed serological evidence of infection by Coxsackie CB4 (at diagnosis) and influenza A virus (soon after diagnosis). The other case, a 15-year-old male, had impaired glucose tolerance for over 500 days (i.e., since the diagnosis of diabetes in his HLA-identical brother) before symptomatic presentation which was not associated with serological evidence of acute viral infection. The former case was negative for islet cell antibody (cytoplasmic) when first seen though positive at diagnosis, while the latter was positive throughout. These two cases suggest contrasting interactions of the main pathogenetic factors associated with Type 1 diabetes.