Virus-induced diabetes mellitus. IV. Genetic and environmental factors influencing the development of diabetes after infection with the M variant of encephalomyocarditis virus

Abstract

The M variant of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC) infects pancreatic .beta. cells and causes the development of a diabetic syndrome in susceptible strains of mice. In 4 F1 crosses of susceptible and resistant strains of mice, the development of diabetes after infection was inherited as a recessive trait. Analysis of the data from the F2 generation indicated that > 1 gene was involved in the development of EMC-diabetes. The severity and frequency of abnormal glucose levels in EMC-infected animals was markedly influenced by environmental factors.