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Simultaneous onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus in identical infant twins with enterovirus infection

C P Smith1, G B Clements, M H Riding

  • 1Booth Hall Hospital, Manchester, UK.

Diabetic Medicine : a Journal of the British Diabetic Association
|June 19, 1998
PubMed

Insights

This study reports Type 1 diabetes in 14-month-old twins following enterovirus infection. Both twins developed diabetes rapidly, with enterovirus detected initially, followed by islet cell antibodies.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is an autoimmune condition.
  • Enterovirus infections are implicated as a potential trigger for Type 1 DM.

Observation:

  • Two 14-month-old twins presented with classical Type 1 DM.
  • Both twins had evidence of enterovirus infection at the time of diagnosis.
  • Type 1 DM was diagnosed in the second twin within 12 days of the first.

Findings:

  • Enterovirus infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in both twins at diagnosis.
  • Five months post-diagnosis, enterovirus was undetectable by PCR, but islet cell antibodies were present in both.
  • Sequencing indicated the enteroviruses were related to echovirus 6, though not identical strains.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential link between enterovirus infection and the rapid onset of Type 1 DM in genetically susceptible individuals.
  • The findings suggest enteroviruses may play a role in triggering autoimmune responses leading to Type 1 DM.
  • Further research into specific viral strains and their immunopathogenesis in Type 1 DM is warranted.

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