Serological and Metabolic Test Correlates of Coxsackievirus B Infection in Iraqi Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Diyar F. Murad¹, zahraa fawwaz faraj1, Athraa Shakir Khozan¹, Anwar Ibraheem Faisal¹,
Hawraa Kareem Mohammed¹
Affiliations:¹ College of Dentistry, University of Al-Qadisiyah.

Abstract
The autoimmune condition identified as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been associated to the death
of pancreatic β-cells. In this study, Iraqi children with type 1 diabetes had their metabolic and serological
signs of CVB infection evaluated. Techniques: From the end of 2023 to the beginning of 2024, Al
Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital carried out a case-control study. 56 youngsters with T1DM who received
clinical diagnoses between the ages of 3 and 15 were included. qRT-PCR targeting VP1 was used to
detect CVB RNA. Enzymatic and HPLC techniques were used for calculating glycated hemoglobin
(HbA1c), random blood sugar (RBS), and fasting serum glucose (FSG). ELISA was used to identify anti
glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD) antibodies.
Results: 20/56 (35.7%) samples had CVB RNA. RBS (268.9 ± 37.19 vs. 223.47 ± 30.23 mg/dL, p=0.001),
HbA1c (11.75 ± 2.18% vs. 9.83 ± 2.40%, p=0.004), and anti-GAD antibodies (168.08 ± 31.74 vs. 133.06
± 16.94 pg/mL, p=0.001) seemed all increased in patients with CVB. According to the logistic regression,
anti-GAD had a positive correlation with both FSG (r=0.53, p=0.002) and HbA1c (r=0.59, p=0.001).
Conclusion: Rising autoimmunity and reduced glycemic control were significantly linked to CVB
infection. Their function as biomarkers for illness progression can be seen by the reality that elevated
anti-GAD levels coincided with metabolic decline. The significance of combined serological and
metabolic examinations in the management of type 1 diabetes is made apparent by the possibility that
persistent CVB infection can both cause and exacerbate autoimmune diabetes.

Download Full Text