PANCREATIC ISLET-CELL DAMAGE IN CHILDREN WITH FATAL VIRAL-INFECTIONS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 2  (8190) , 354-358
Abstract
The pancreases from 250 children with fatal infections caused by 14 different viruses were examined for lesions in the islets of Langerhans. Viral cytopathology was found in 4 of 7 cases of coxsackievirus B infection, 20 of 45 cases of cytomegalovirus infection, 2 of 14 cases of varicellazoster infection and 2 of 45 cases of congenital rubella. Destruction of .beta. cells and acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrates were found in islets from cases with coxsackievirus B infections. Characteristic inclusion bodies were observed in islets from cases with cytomegalovirus and varicella zoster infections. Some viruses can infect and damage human .beta. cells.