The more germs, the less diabetes
Type 1 diabetes mellitus, manifested by the inability of the body to control the level of glucose in the blood, is the result of the destruction of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas by the patient's own immune system. According to statistics, about 500,000 children worldwide suffer from this disease, and the incidence rate increases by 3% annually. This increase in morbidity is observed in all so-called developed countries, and among the theories explaining it is the "theory of [excessive] hygiene" that has been gaining popularity lately. According to this hypothesis, the interaction between the developing immune system and microorganisms, such as bacteria and parasites, is a component of human evolution and protects it from the occurrence of autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at the University of Malta, working under the guidance of Professor Stephen Fava, analyzed the alleged relationship between markers of regional infectious cargo and the incidence of type 1 diabetes in the relevant territory. In their work, they used data collected within the framework of three major international projects.
The results of the data analysis showed that the incidence of type 1 diabetes is highest in countries with low mortality rates from infectious diseases. This pattern was maintained both for the indicator of total mortality from infectious diseases, and when considering mortality rates from diarrhea, respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, as well as infections and parasitic infestations. It also turned out that a statistically significant relationship exists between the incidence of type 1 diabetes and the sensitivity of pneumonic streptococci common in the region to the analyzed antibiotics.
It is possible that the worldwide increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes may be associated with insufficient exposure of pathogens to the body at an early age. Although these and many other similar data confirm the validity of the "hygiene theory", they are not unambiguous proof of it, since the increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes is a complex problem, and the study conducted is only associative. Other factors potentially able to contribute to this problem may have geographical variations similar to the distribution of the infectious load on the territory of different countries. The authors strongly emphasize the need for further research on the study of other environmental factors potentially capable of causing predisposition to the development of type 1 diabetes.
The abstracts of the report by Alexia-Giovanna Abela, Stephen Fava Association of the incident of type 1 diabetes with markers of infection and antibiotic susceptibility at country level are published in the proceedings of Endocrine Abstracts Endocrine conferences and presented at the annual congress of the Society of Endocrinologists, held March 18-23, 2013 in Harrogate, UK.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the Society for Endocrinology:
Type 1 diabetes may be linked to infectious disease burden.
22.03.2013