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[Antibodies to viruses in children with diabetes mellitus]
Insights
Viral infections, including Coxsackie B, rubella, and influenza, are frequently detected early in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These infections may play a role in the development and exacerbation of the disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting children.
- The etiology of IDDM is multifactorial, with genetic and environmental factors implicated.
- Viral infections are suspected environmental triggers for IDDM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of viral infections in the early stages of childhood diabetes mellitus.
- To identify specific viruses associated with the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
- To explore the potential link between viral infections and the pathogenesis of chronic insulitis.
Main Methods:
- Serological studies were conducted on 419 children with IDDM.
- Paired sera from 66 children were analyzed at the onset of diabetes.
- Seroconversion was used to diagnose recent or active viral infections.
Main Results:
- Seroconversion indicating viral infections was found in 83% of children early in diabetes.
- Commonly diagnosed infections included Coxsackie B viruses (46%), rubella (41%), and influenza (38%).
- Acute respiratory and enterovirus infections preceded or coincided with diabetes onset in half of the affected children.
Conclusions:
- Viral infections are frequently diagnosed in children at the onset of IDDM.
- Specific viruses like Coxsackie B, rubella, and influenza may contribute to IDDM etiology.
- Further research is warranted to understand the role of viruses in insulitis and diabetes manifestation.
Abstract:
Serological studies were carried out in the time course of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in 419 children, among whom paired sera from 66 were studied in the very beginning of diabetes mellitus. By seroconversion in 83% of the children early in the disease, different, frequently mixed virus infections were diagnosed: Coxsackie B2, B3, B4 (46%), rubella (41%), influenza A, B, C (38%), parainfluenza types 1-3 (35%), mumps (23%), adenovirus infection (18%), HB virus infection (4.5%). Acute respiratory diseases preceded or coincided with the onset of diabetes in half of the children with diagnosed acute respiratory and enterovirus infections. No clinical signs of rubella, mumps, or hepatitis immediately before the onset of diabetes or early in the disease were found. A possible role of virus infection diagnosed early in diabetes, in the etiology of chronic insulitis, in provocation of its exacerbation, and manifestation of diabetes mellitus is discussed.