Specific Immunoassays Confirm Association of Mycobacterium avium Subsp. paratuberculosis with Type-1 but Not Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
2009

Linking Mycobacterium avium to Type-1 Diabetes

Sample size: 136 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Rosu Valentina, Ahmed Niyaz, Paccagnini Daniela, Gerlach Gerald, Fadda Giovanni, Hasnain Seyed E., Zanetti Stefania, Sechi Leonardo A.

Primary Institution: Università degli studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy

Hypothesis

Is there an association between Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and Type-1 diabetes mellitus?

Conclusion

The study suggests that Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is significantly associated with Type-1 diabetes mellitus.

Supporting Evidence

  • 47.3% of Type-1 diabetes patients tested positive for Mycobacterium avium compared to 12.6% of controls.
  • Significant differences in antibody responses were observed between Type-1 diabetes patients and controls.
  • Two strains of Mycobacterium avium were isolated from Type-1 diabetes patients.

Takeaway

Researchers found that a specific bacteria might be linked to Type-1 diabetes, which could help in diagnosing and understanding the disease.

Methodology

The study used ELISA methods to detect Mycobacterium avium in blood plasma from Type-1 diabetes, Type-2 diabetes, and non-diabetic controls.

Limitations

The study did not find significant associations in Type-2 diabetes patients, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

57 Type-1 diabetes patients, 57 Type-2 diabetes patients, and 79 healthy controls.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004386

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