Prevalence of islet cell antibodies (ICA) and islet cell surface antibodies (ICSA) in children and adolescents with antecedent mumps infection).

There is good evidence that viruses may play a role in some animal models of diabetes. Since mumps virus seems to be the most likely candidate, we studied the possible relationship of islet cell antibodies, islet cell surface antibodies and glucose tolerance in 86 children and adolescents in whom mumps infection had occurred 14 months previously. Impaired glucose tolerance was diagnosed in 3.5% (n = 3) but symptomatic diabetes did not appear. No relationship existed between complications of antecedent mumps infection (pancreatitis, orchitis, meningitis) and glucose tolerance. The prevalence of ICA and ICSA was 78% and 36%, respectively. The simultaneous prevalence of ICA and ICSA was 33%. The pathogenetic role of mumps infection and ICA/ ICSA and their possible relation to slow progressive beta cell destruction remains to be elucidated.