DETECTION OF COXSACKIE-B VIRUS-RNA SEQUENCES IN WHOLE-BLOOD SAMPLES FROM ADULT PATIENTS AT THE ONSET OF TYPE-I DIABETES-MELLITUS

Enteroviruses may be linked to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (ID DM). The prevalence of enteroviral (EV) infection at onset of adult ID DM was investigated by detection of specific EV sequences in periphera l blood using a reverse transcription and a seminested polymerase chai n reaction (seminested RT-PCR). EDTA-treated whole blood samples taken from 12 newly diagnosed IDDM patients with ketosis or ketoacidosis we re examined. The comparison groups were 12 adult patients suffering fr om metabolic decompensation in the course of IDDM, 12 adult patients w ith decompensated non-IDDM, and 15 healthy adults without any presumed EV infection or metabolic disease. EV genome was detected in five of 12 (42%) newly diagnosed IDDM patients and in one of 12 (8%) patients in the course of IDDM. By contrast, none of the 12 non-IDDM patients a nd none of the 15 healthy adults had EV sequences in whole blood. Subs equent sequencing of the EV PCR products from the six positive patient s showed a significant homology with Coxsackie B3 or B4 viruses, and s ome common patterns were observed among the sequences. The present stu dy demonstrates that Coxsackie B virus RNA sequences can be detected i n peripheral blood from patients at the onset or in the course of IDDM and provides evidence for a role for enteroviruses in adult type I di abetes. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.