USF epidemiologist Kendra Vehik found an association between prolonged enterovirus infection in children and the development of autoimmunity to the insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells, which precedes type 1 diabetes (T1D). An infection of over 30 days with an enterovirus was associated with autoimmunity.

“Enteroviruses are…very common…, sometimes causing fever, sore throat, rash or nausea. A lot of children get them, but not everybody that gets the virus will get T1D,” said Vehik. Additionally, Vehik found contracting adenovirus C, a virus causing respiratory infections, early in life correlates with a lower risk of developing autoimmunity.

• Kendra Vehik