Fulminant type 1 diabetes in Japan

Abstract

Fulminant type 1 diabetes is a novel subtype within type 1 diabetes-characterized by a remarkably abrupt onset, absence of islet-related autoantibodies, and almost no C-peptide secretion even at the onset of the disease. Several lines of evidence suggest that viral infection contributes to the development of fulminant type 1 diabetes: (1) preceding influenza-like symptoms, (2) elevated IgA level to the enterovirus common antigen, (3) association of HLA-B∗4002, (4) several patients with an elevation of antiviral antibodies, (5) TLR expression in the pancreas of patients, and (6) detection of enterovirus or cytomegalovirus in the pancreas of patients.