No association between islet cell antibodies and coxsackie B, mumps, rubella and cytomegalovirus antibodies in non-diabetic individuals aged 7–19 years

Viral antibodies were tested in a cohort of 44 isletcell
antibody-positive individuals age 7–19 years, and 44 of their islet
cell antibody-negative age and sex-matched classmates selected from
a population study of 4208 pupils who had been screened for islet
cell antibodies. Anti-coxsackie B1-5 IgM responses were detected in
14 of 44 (32%) of the islet cell antibody-positive subjects and in
7 of 44 (16%) control subjects. This difference did not reach the
level of statistical significance. None of the islet cell
antibody-positive subjects had specific IgM antibodies to mumps,
rubella, or cytomegalovirus. There was also no increase in the
prevalence or the mean titres of anti-mumps-IgG or IgA and
anti-cytomegalovirus-IgG in islet cell antibody-positive subjects
compared to control subjects. These results do not suggest any
association between islet cell antibodies, and possibly insulitis,
with recent mumps, rubella or cytomegalo virus infection. Further
studies are required to clarify the relationship between islet cell
antibodies and coxsackie B virus infections.