Mumps with laboratory signs of subclinical pancreatitis may cause a disturbed beta-cell function.
Mumps epidemics are followed by sporadic cases of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We have studied beta-cell function in 11 subjects who had had a mumps infection. They had no clinical pancreatitis but were selected as they had abnormal pancreas iso-amylase values and/or glucosuria during the mumps virus infection. At the follow-up some years later the subjects were healthy. A few HbA1-values were noted in the upper part of the normal range. Total serum insulin values were normal, but the C-peptide values were low at first follow-up 1-3 years after infection in all but two patients. These values increased in 4/7 patients during the follow-up period but were subnormal in five subjects still 3-6 years after the infection. All five patients had HLA-DR 3 and/or 4. In 7 out of 11 patients islet cell surface antibodies could be demonstrated. Our results indicate that subclinical mumps pancreatitis may initiate a reaction towards the beta-cells recognized as subnormal C-peptide levels several years later in certain patients. This might contribute to manifest IDDM many years after infection.
Ludvigsson
J
J
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
Forsberg
P
P
Frydèn
A
A
Lindblom
B
B
Marshall
M O
MO
von Schenck
H
H
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009107:Mumps / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D002096:C-Peptide; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007328:Insulin; C024211:islet cell antibody