[someone]

All the time I have been on this forum, I haven't seen a single discussion on the cause of type 1 diabetes. Obviously it is genetically linked, but what about things like coxsackie B viruses, which are transmitted through saliva and feces? Coxsackie B4 virus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Input anyone?

[KickStart101]

Well, that's an interesting read. If it
was that simple wouldn't they have
produced a vaccine to give to children
starting at 3 mths. or so, then?

Thoughts about different causes of
Type 1 has been tossed around here
before. Viruses was mentioned but not
in any depth.

[HelenM]

I have read that the coxsackie virus is very similar in structure (right word?) to the beta cells and therefore the antibodies produced to kill off the virus also 'by mistake' attack the beta cells.The virus can cause hand foot and mouth disease, a normally mild childihood ailment which can sometimes pass unnoticed.

One article I read suggested that normal type 1 could be triggered by large response to it. LADA on the other hand might be caused by repeated low level exposure to the virus. Each incident triggers off an attack on the pancreatic cells, killing some off, but followed by the regrowth of some of them. Eventually, in some people, there is a point when there aren't enough cells left to produce the insulin required.
This sounded very feasible to me as I would probably have had repeated exposure to the virus as a primary school teacher...(industrially related disease?) but I don't really think there is any proof and there are other candidates.

[catgalla]

I was told that it's not necessarily genetic. It's a virus, any virus that attacks the immune system. Type 2 is more genetic. I know no one in my family, either side, had type 1 diabetes or even diabetes period. It is a gene that you have but you don't necessarily get it from your parents or relatives. It doesn't make sense to me but that's what was told to me.

[owlyn]

Could you please refrain from using "feces" and "input" in close proximity? Thank you.

[DeusXM]

I know no one in my family, either side, had type 1 diabetes or even diabetes period. It is a gene that you have but you don't necessarily get it from your parents or relatives. It doesn't make sense to me but that's what was told to me.

There's a difference between genes and heredity. Just because you don't know anyone else in your family with T1 doesn't mean they don't carry the gene sequence that causes T1. It's just that the dodgy sequence is only carried in half of the relevant chromosome rather than all of it. Since all individuals are comprised of the DNA of both their parents, if one parent has a faulty half chromosome and the other parent doesn't, the offspring won't have a full faulty chromosome. If both parents are carriers then there is a possibility that the offspring will receive two faulty halves, and thus have one full faulty chromosome, causing T1.

If T1 was caused purely by a virus then all those who come in contact with someone who later develops T1 would also develop T1, because presumably they would also catch the same virus and suffer the same response, in much the same way that a cold spreads around. Therefore T1 must have a genetic component but there's a possibility it remains dormant until triggered by a virus.

[Maddogg]

Originally Posted by owlyn

Could you please refrain from using "feces" and "input" in close proximity? Thank you.

Haha, yea, "output" would probably sound better...lol

I'm the only diabetic in my entire family (both sides), no one else has type 1 or type 2 diabetes so genetics has nothing to do with it for me. I think I got it because of that **** virus!

[blonde kiddo]

Interesting link: BBC NEWS | Health | Gene findings: Disease-by-disease

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[blonde kiddo]

Oh and this is the first bit of the story!
BBC NEWS | Health | Serious diseases genes revealed

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