Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. These conditions cause high blood sugar levels. If not treated quickly, this condition can affect the health of other organs such as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and lungs.

In some cases, many diabetics also experience respiratory infections. The symptoms are more severe and even more deadly when compared to those without diabetes. In the results of a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine explained that this happened because of a malfunction in the body's response to infection.

Starting with the rising number of MERS-CoV cases which caused more than 800 people to die, the researchers were encouraged to identify other factors that contribute to the development of the disease. The results showed that based on clinical evidence, the researchers found that diabetes is one of the main risk factors for the disease. Not only that, diabetes also may make other respiratory infections, such as flu or pneumonia, more severe.

In the study, the researchers analysed the relationship between diabetes and MERS-CoV using mice. They found that mice with a history of diabetes showed prolonged inflammatory response in the lungs. These mice have lower levels of cytokines, macrophages, and T cells when compared to healthy mice. These conditions can certainly exacerbate infections that occur.

MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - Corona Virus) is a virus that attacks the respiratory system with symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath. This virus was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Kulcsar, K.A, Coleman, C.M., Beck, S.E., and Fireman, M.B. (2019). Comorbid diabetes results in immune dysregulation and enhanced disease following MERS-CoV infection. Journal of Clinical Investigation Insights, DOI: 10.1172 / jci.insight.131774.
• Science Daily - Why respiratory infections are more deadly in those with diabetes (2019). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191018181045.htm, 21 October 2019.