The Implications of Mononucleosis in the Type 1 Diabetes Pathomechanism

Abstract

The relationship between viruses and type 1 diabetes has been researched for decades; however, there is very little known about the potential relationship between autoimmune diabetes and one of the most common viruses, the Epstein-Barr virus. This paper explores the possible correlation between infection with Epstein-Barr virus, and the associated clinical condition infectious mononucleosis, and type 1 diabetes onset in those with a genetic susceptibility to diabetes. Epstein-Barr virus has been implicated in multiple autoimmune disease pathogeneses by creating an inflammatory environment that leads to autoimmunity. Similar processes may trigger beta cell destruction in pancreatic islets leading to the onset and diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. An establishment of a correlative relationship between the Epstein-Barr virus and type 1 diabetes may lead to a method of diabetes prevention that could positively affect the lives of millions of people around the world.