Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in a Japanese Black Cattle Persistently Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus

Abstract

A 16-month-old Japanese Black heifer persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus developed emaciation, hyperglycemia, glycosuria and ketonuria. The plasma glucose tolerance and insulin concentration declined markedly to 0.25 of glucose disappearance rate and 2.7 to 4.9 μU/ml, respectively. The major pathological changes were characterized by a decrease in the size and number of pancreatic islets. Residual islets contained islet cells with vacuolated cytoplasm, including small amounts of aldehyde fuchsin-positive granules or insulin antigens. Based on the results, the disease was diagnosed as type 1 diabetes mellitus.