Reduced coxsackie antibody titres in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients presenting during an outbreak of coxsackie B 3 and B 4 infection

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Abstract
The potential role of antecedent viral infection in the pathogenesis of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes was investigated by measuring antibody titres to several viruses in serum obtained at the time of diagnosis of diabetes. An outbreak of Coxsackie B 4 infection folio wed by a wave of Coxsackie B 3 and B 5 infections occurred in Seattle during the time viral serology was obtained in the diabetic patients. Antibody titres to Cocksackie B 5 and Influenza A and B viruses were comparable in diabetics and matched control subjects, but antibody titres to Cocksackie B 3 and B 4 were lower in the diabetics and a low antibody titre to Coxsackie B 3/B 4 was associated with a significantly increased relative risk of diabetes.