Herpes infection may spark unusual form of diabetes in black, African individuals

An atypical form of diabetes — ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes — was found to be associated with the presence of human herpesvirus 8 antibodies, according to results of a new study conducted by researchers from France.

In the cross-sectional study, the researchers used immunofluorescence to assess antibodies against human herpesvirus 8 antigens. Of the 187 black and Sub-Saharan African individuals, 81 were positive for ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes. Individuals with the unusual form of the disease were matched with 90 controls who did not have diabetes.

Ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes is distinguished by acute sudden onset that requires insulin therapy. It is extremely common in individuals of Sub-Saharan African descent. Human herpesvirus 8 is an endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 30% to 60% of adults there are infected, according to the researchers.

Human herpesvirus 8 antibodies were present in 71 patients (87.7%) with ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes compared with just 16 patients (15.1%) without the unusual form of diabetes (OR=39.9; P<.001) and 36 controls (OR=10.7; P<.001).

DNA analysis at acute onset revealed human herpesvirus 8 antibodies in six of 13 individuals with ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes, but no presence in any individual with the more commonly known type 2 diabetes.

According to the researchers, longitudinal studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of this association. – by Katie Kalvaitis

JAMA. 2008;299:2770-2776.