[Antibodies to viruses in children with diabetes mellitus].

Serological studies were carried out in the time course of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in 419 children, among whom paired sera from 66 were studied in the very beginning of diabetes mellitus. By seroconversion in 83% of the children early in the disease, different, frequently mixed virus infections were diagnosed: Coxsackie B2, B3, B4 (46%), rubella (41%), influenza A, B, C (38%), parainfluenza types 1-3 (35%), mumps (23%), adenovirus infection (18%), HB virus infection (4.5%). Acute respiratory diseases preceded or coincided with the onset of diabetes in half of the children with diagnosed acute respiratory and enterovirus infections. No clinical signs of rubella, mumps, or hepatitis immediately before the onset of diabetes or early in the disease were found. A possible role of virus infection diagnosed early in diabetes, in the etiology of chronic insulitis, in provocation of its exacerbation, and manifestation of diabetes mellitus is discussed.