Diabetes could be triggered by virus, scientists warn

Viruses may trigger both type 1 and type 2 diabetes because they contain proteins that mimic insulin, a surprise discovery suggests.

People suffering from both forms of diabetes have shortages of the sugar-metabolizing hormone insulin, but the underlying causes of the disease are largely unknown.

Researchers at Harvard University found that four kinds of viruses produce proteins that mimic insulin, which could lead to diabetes in humans exposed to the microorganisms.

It is not yet clear if humans can get the particular viruses the researchers studied, but the discovery indicates that viruses and other microbes could play a key role in causing diabetes and even other diseases, the researchers say.

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