The causes of diabetes is viral infection:
Many clinical and experimental studies have found that the onset of type 1 diabetes is related to viral infection. Epidemiological investigations have shown that the incidence of type 1 diabetes varies seasonally and racially, with the highest incidence rate in winter and spring. This season is exactly the peak of viral infection, and the incidence rate peaks correspond to the peak of viral infection. This suggests that the onset of type 1 diabetes may be related to viral infection.
Animal experiments have confirmed that many viruses can induce diabetes, including common ones such as Coxsackie B4 virus, mumps virus, and encephalomyocarditis viruses. After infecting animals, viruses can produce various results. For example, some mice develop diabetes after being infected with the virus, while others do not show hyperglycemia.
This may be related to the differences in animals’ “susceptibility” or “resistance” to virus infection, which partly depends on the number of viral receptors on islet β cells and may also be related to the degree of secondary immune reactions. That is, virus infection can stimulate autoimmune reactions, leading to progressive β cell destruction. Diabetes will occur only when the autoimmune reaction is strong enough to cause β cell destruction to a certain degree (residual content < 30%).
The relationship between virus infection and the onset of type 1 diabetes is close, but sufficient evidence is still lacking. However, it is necessary to point out that virus susceptibility and autoimmunity depend on genetic factors. Only on the basis of genetic susceptibility can virus infections and autoimmunity occur more easily, eventually leading to diabetes.
