Type 1 diabetes in the tropics: A link with enterovirus infections

Abstract

The global distribution of the new cases of type 1 diabetes is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The genetic component is not restricted to HLA, as other loci participate as risk factors. The incidence of type 1 diabetes in tropical/subtropical regions is low, whereas helminth and enterovirus infections are common and widespread. Three Echovirus epidemics have been documented in Cuba over the last two decades. Echovirus infections were associated with seroconversion to diabetes-related autoantibodies. Data from Cuba indicate enteroviruses of the B species as the agents linked most frequently to type 1 diabetes. Further research is necessary to define the enterovirus types linked to type 1 diabetes, which will pave the way for designing novel preventive approaches.