Tapia G, Cinek O, Rasmussen T, Grinde B, Rønningen KS. Diabetes Care. 2010 May;33(5):1069–71. Epub 2010 Feb 25. IF: 7.851
The relationship between viral infection and risk of type 1 diabetes has been discussed for several years. In this work the attention was directed to Ljungan virus – 3803 samples of children stools was examined for its presence. Among the results was documented that Ljungan virus is a rare infection by children and the connection with the risk of type 1 diabetes wasn't certified. The article was published in prestigious paper Diabetes Care (IF: 7.851) and its first author is German Tapia, Ph.D., postgraduate student from University in Oslo, Norway, visitor in the Department of Paediatric in Motol University Hospital. We asked him:
This work is part of a major Norwegian study. What is its main goal?
The main goal of the study is identifying environmental factors in type 1 diabetes. Viral infections have long been suspected to play a part in the development of type 1 diabetes, so the study has been designed with this in mind. In this particular paper we investigated Ljungan virus, which has been shown to lead to a condition very similar to type 1 diabetes in rodents. It had been proposed that it could possibly infect humans and lead to type 1 diabetes but we could not find the virus in the children investigated.
Do you have other plans in this project?
We plan to test for more viruses that are suspected to play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes in this project. In addition, other researchers working on the same project investigate other environmental factors – among them diet, bacterial infections and parasites – and we also investigate possible genetic factors. With all these factors combined we might see if several factors work together and hopefully find any of the environmental factors of type 1 diabetes.
Could you write something about your stay and work in Prague?
I have been staying at Dr. Cineks laboratory for several periods since 2006, and I am very grateful for the opportunity. The lab facilities and staff are excellent, and Prague is a beautiful city. Together we have been able to do much more than we would have done alone, and I hope to continue this collaboration in the future.
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