COXSACKIE VIRUS INDUCES DIABETES

The effects of local infection with the Coxsackie B4 virus may be the autoimmune mechanism underlying virus-induced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The induction of diabetes in this study was a direct result of local infection leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and the release of sequestered islet antigen resulting in the re-stimulation of resting autoreactive cells. Coxsackie B4 virus has been implicated in human IDDM and destroys the exocrine pancreas but not the islet cells.

Nature Med 1998;4:770-771,781-785.

COMMENT: I am particularly interested in this study as I have been diagnosed with a Coxsackie B4 infection and have a strong family history of diabetes. I have been aggressively treating it with injection of my scars (neural therapy) and a virus specific homeopathic which seems to be working. It is absolutely amazing how these infections can contribute to disease. I suspect I acquired my infection by a less than healthy diet many years ago. For most of us, though, even if the virus caused diabetes, the low grain diet will help modulate the insulin levels and control the illness. However, I suspect it may be impossible to "cure" the disease in many, if not most, diabetics unless this organism is eradicated.