Hepatitis C virus and type 1 diabetes.
Hepatitis C virus infection and diabetes mellitus are two worldwide, major public health problems with increasing complication and mortality rates. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is characterized by an autoimmune process leading to pancreatic beta cell destruction; only when the major part of pancreatic beta cells have been destroyed the diabetes become clinically manifest. At the basis of the development of the T1D there is an interplay among environmental factors, pancreatic beta cells, the innate and adaptive immune system, the genetic background and the comorbidities of the patient. Viral infections, including hepatitis C virus infection, may be one of the factors that can almost accelerate progression to diabetes, through different mechanisms.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Fallahi
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Di Domenicantonio
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Mazzi
F
F
Santini
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S
Fabiani
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Sebastiani
A L
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Zignego
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Ferri
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Antonelli
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha