Status and trends in the use of insulin analogs, insulin delivery systems and their association with glycemic control: comparison of the two consecutive recent cohorts of Japanese children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background Treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has greatly changed by the general use of insulin analogs and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). To investigate whether these advances have been translated into continued improvement in glycemic control in Japanese children and adolescents, we analyzed the registration data of the two consecutive recent cohorts of Japanese childhood-onset T1DM patients. Methods The registration data including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), hypoglycemia and insulin regimen were compared between the two cohorts (862 patients in the 2008 cohort and 1090 in the 2013 cohort). Results The proportion of subjects with multiple daily insulin injection therapy (MDI) and CSII significantly increased (p<0.0001) from 67.4% and 9.7% to 71.8% and 23.4%, respectively. In the 2013 cohort, almost all patients were treated with basal-bolus treatment using insulin analogs. The use of CSII increased in all age groups, especially in the age group 0-5 years. The rates of overall, moderate and severe hypoglycemia significantly declined from 10.24, 10.18 and 0.056 events/100 persons/period in the 2008 cohort to 0.66, 0.62 and 0.033 in the 2013 cohort (p<0.0001, <0.0001, 0.04), respectively. Contrarily, there were no significant changes in HbA1c values between the two cohorts. Conclusions The popularization of the basal-bolus treatment using insulin analogs hascontributed to a significant decrease in hypoglycemia. In contrast, the intensive insulin treatment may not be enough for the satisfactory improvement of glycemic control in Japanese children and adolescents with T1DM. Considerable points remain, such as diabetic education and support to motivate patients.

Identification of INS and KCNJ11 gene mutations in type 1B diabetes in Japanese children with onset of diabetes before 5 years of age.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is heterogeneous and is according to presence or absence of pancreatic autoantibodies divided into two subtypes: type 1A (autoimmune-mediated) and type 1B (non-autoimmune-mediated). Although several genes have been linked to type 1A diabetes, the genetic cause of type 1B diabetes in Japanese individuals is far from understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test for monogenic forms of diabetes in auto antibody-negative Japanese children with T1D. METHODS: Thirty four (19 males and 15 female) unrelated Japanese children with glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 65 antibodies and/or IA-2A-negative T1D and diabetes diagnosed at < 5 yr of age were recruited from 17 unrelated hospitals participating in the Japanese Study Group of Insulin Therapy for children and adolescent diabetes (JSGIT). We screened the INS gene and the KCNJ11 gene which encode the ATP-sensitive potassium cannel by direct sequencing in 34 Japanese children with T1D. RESULTS: We identified three novel (C31Y, C96R, and C109F) mutations and one previously reported mutation (R89C) in the INS gene in five children, in addition to one mutation in the KCNJ11 gene (H46R) in one child. These mutations are most likely pathogenic and therefore the cause of diabetes in carriers. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that monogenic forms of diabetes, particularly INS gene mutations, can be detected in Japanese patients classified with type 1B. Mutation screening, at least of the INS gene, is recommended for Japanese patients diagnosed as autoantibody negative at <5 yr of age.

Autosomal-dominant chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis with STAT1-mutation can be complicated with chronic active hepatitis and hypothyroidism.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of autosomal-dominant (AD)-chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) with a signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 gene mutation, and some of the important complications of this disease such as chronic hepatitis. METHODS: We present a 23-year-old woman with CMC, chronic active hepatitis, and hypothyroidism. Her father also had CMC. We performed several immunological analyses of blood and liver samples, and searched for gene mutations for CMC in the patient and her father. RESULTS: We identified the heterozygous substitution c.821 G > A (p.Arg274Gln) in the STAT1 gene of both the patient and her father. The level of ß-glucan induced interferon (IFN)-γ in her blood cells was significantly low. Immunoblot analysis detected serum anti-interleukin (IL)-17 F autoantibody. She was found to have increased (low-titer) antibodies related to her hypothyroidism and hepatitis. Her serum IL-18 levels fluctuated with her AST and ALT levels. Liver biopsy revealed CD68-positive cell infiltration and IL-18 expression in the sinusoidal regions. These results suggest that the chronic active hepatitis in this patient may be exacerbated by the excessive IL-18 accumulation caused by recurrent mucocutaneous fungal infection, and decreased IFN-γ production. CONCLUSIONS: AD-CMC is known to be caused by a gain-of-function mutation of the STAT1 gene. Chronic active hepatitis is a rare complication of AD-CMC, with currently unknown pathogenesis. It seems that the clinical phenotype in this patient is modified by autoimmune mechanisms and cytokine dysregulation. AD-CMC can be complicated by various immune disorders including autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy.

HLA-class II and class I genotypes among Japanese children with Type 1A diabetes and their families.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the HLA-DRB1, DQB1, DPB1, A, C, and B genotypes among Japanese children with autoimmune type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty patients who were GADAb and/or IA-2Ab-positive (Type 1A) were recruited from 37 medical centers as part of a nationwide multicenter collaborative study. DNA samples from 83 siblings of the children with Type 1A diabetes and 149 parent-child trios were also analyzed. A case-control study and a transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) were then performed. RESULTS: The susceptible and protective DRB1 and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes were confirmed. DPB1 alleles unique to the Japanese population and those common to multiple ethnic groups were also present. A linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis showed both susceptible and protective haplotypes. The TDT did not reveal any alleles that were transmitted preferentially from the mother or father to children with Type 1A. Homozygosity for DRB1-09:01-DQB1-03:03 and heterozygosity for DRB1-04:05-DQB1-04:01 and DRB1-08:02-DQB1-03:02 were associated with an extremely high risk of Type 1A. A comparison of children with Type 1A and their parents and siblings suggested a dose effect of susceptible DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes and an effect of protective alleles on immunological pathogenesis. DRB1-09:01 appeared to be strongly associated with an early onset in preschool children with Type 1A diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the characteristic association of HLA-class II and class I genes with Type 1A diabetes among Japanese children. A TDT did not reveal the genomic imprinting of HLA-class II and class I genes in Type 1A diabetes.

Molluscum contagiosum prevents progression of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

Prevention of progression of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome by molluscum contagiosum indicated a possible interference by viral anti-cytokine molecule such as interleukin-18 binding protein.