[Ketosis-prone atypical diabetes mellitus: report of two cases].

An atypical presentation of diabetes mellitus was described in black subjects, initially in adolescents by Winter et al. then, in adult populations. The principal characteristics of "African" diabetes are an acute onset with severe hyperglycemia and ketosis, and a clinical course of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the subsequent clinical course after initiation of insulin therapy, prolonged remission is often possible with cessation of insulin therapy and maintenance of appropriate metabolic control. In the subsequent clinical course after initiation of insulin therapy, prolonged remission is often possible with cessation of insulin therapy and maintenance of appropriate metabolic control. The molecular mechanisms underlining the insulin secretory dysfunction are still to be understood and may involve glucolipotoxicity processes. The HLA alleles associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes were reported of high frequency in some populations with this form of diabetes, in the absence of makers of pancreatic beta cell autoimmunity. The aim of the present review is to discuss two cases of African diabetes and review the specific diagnostic, metabolic, pathogenic and management features of this atypical diabetes.