Non-specific viral infections as possible synchronising events of the manifestation of Type 1 diabetes

Four cases of simultaneous manifestation of Type 1 diabetes in two members of the same household are reported. In all cases, a flu-like infection prec eded diabetes onset. Surprisingly, despite simultaneous development of insu lin dependency, insulin requirements were strikingly different at 3 months in all cases. These observations suggest that increased insulin resistance during infection may cause insulin deficiency in individuals with widely va rying residual beta cell activity. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Lt d.