Rapid-onset type 1 diabetes associated with cytomegalovirus infection and islet autoantibody synthesis

Intern Med. 2007;46(12):873-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.46.6395. Epub 2007 Jun 15.

Abstract

We report the case of a 59-year-old woman who developed rapid-onset type 1 diabetes associated with a marked increase in anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody titer (317.5 U/ml), mild increase in HbA1c level (6.8%), diabetic ketoacidosis, and cytomegalovirus enterocolitis. She was a heterozygote for HLA class II DRB1*0901-DQA1*03-DQB1*0303, and she had HLA class I A24, which may have contributed to the rapid beta cell destruction. Based on the putative molecular mimicry of GAD65 by cytomegalovirus antigen, we hypothesize that the type 1 diabetes in this case was associated with cytomegalovirus infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / metabolism*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / metabolism
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / etiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • islet cell antibody