An emerging type 2 diabetes variant could be triggered by the herpes virus, according to reports from France this week. The unusual form of diabetes found in sub-Saharan Africa develops very quickly, and is becoming more common in various African countries.
The identification of a link with the herpes virus could be a step in the right direction to finding a suitable drug treatment. The diabetes type, although type 2, requires sufferers to take insulin injections until the condition stabilises.
Jean-Francois Gautier, who led the study, reportedly commented: "We are looking for something that could explain why these people start the disease so acutely like people with type 1 diabetes . We think this virus may convert the type 2 diabetes into an atypical form."
The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Herpes linked to rare diabetes form
Thu, 19 Jun 2008
Recommended links
Diabetes newsletterDiabetes based financial services
Diabetes forum
Diabetes signs and symptoms
4 million UK people with diabetes by 2025
New diabetes drug proving helpful
Internet leading the way for diabetes information
Both forms of diabetes linked to hip fracture
Elixir release new diabetes information
Joslin and Walgreens form a diabetes alliance
New formula milk could stop obesity and diabetes
Alzheimer's could be a form of diabetes
