Diabetes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Diabetes, including details on insulin, type i, type ii, diet, treatment, prevention.

How robust is the evidence for viruses in the induction of type 1 diabetes?

Honeyman M

Autoimmunity and Transplantation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville 3050 Victoria, Australia. honeyman@wehi.edu.au

Viruses associated with type 1 diabetes have eluded definition as causal, with the exception of rubella virus. False-negative results may have occurred due to the focus on subjects at symptomatic onset, who may be heterogeneous and differently affected by viruses. In addition, assays have not always been sufficiently sensitive to deal with transient infections, and pancreatic tissue is scarce. Longitudinal studies of at-risk subjects and more sensitive DNA techniques now reveal that at initiation of islet autoimmunity, enteroviruses have only a small role, but are more likely to be important at symptomatic onset. Rotaviruses remain associated with initiation of islet autoimmunity, and generate strong T cell responses in the young.

Published 28 October 2005 in Curr Opin Immunol, 17(6): 616-23.
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