The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the cellular immune response to enterovirus antigens is abnormal in children who test positive for IDDM-associated autoantibodies.
A substantial amount of data has been collected on enterovirus induced IDDM, our study is original in so far as it will be: (1) a quantitative study, not only the presence of viral genome sequences in blood will be determined, but also their concentrations (viral load); and (2) a longitudinal study, samples are and will be collected as a function of time.
The focus of future human studies will likely shift from people with IDDM to those with prediabetic autoimmunity to determine whether acute enteroviral infections can promote progression from autoimmunity to overt diabetes.