Possible association of rotavirus IgG with cytokine expression levels and dyslipidemia in rotavirus-infected type 1 diabetic children.

Background: Rotavirus (RV) has been postulated as a viral trigger for the onset of autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study aimed to examine the conceivable association of RV IgG with cytokine levels and dyslipidemia in the pathogenesis of pediatric T1D.

Methods: This study included 30 healthy controls and 80 children with T1D who were divided into two groups based on the time since their T1D diagnosis: newly diagnosed (ND ≤ 1 year; n = 30) and previously diagnosed (PD > 1 year; n = 50). ND and PD patients were also separated into negative and positive according to IgG detection (RV IgG, ND, and PD; RV IgG, ND, and PD).

Results: Positive polymerase chain reaction for RVs was evidenced in 7.5% of children with T1D. Anti-RV IgG was 30% and 36% in ND and PD, respectively, compared to healthy controls (2 of 30, 6.6%; P < 0.05). Fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c significantly increased in PD compared to PD. Interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-15 levels significantly increased. IL-12 and IL-22 mRNA expression was upregulated in ND patients compared to that in ND patients. IL-37 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in ND and ND patients compared to that in healthy controls. Total cholesterol and high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were significantly lower in PD than in PD; whereas triglyceride levels were higher than those in healthy controls.

Conclusions: This study suggested that anti-RV IgG may have a role in the pathogenesis, development, and progression of T1D, and RV infections are implicated in dyslipidemia and inflammation status.