SARS-CoV-2 Infection Related Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: SARS-Cov-2 (severe acute respiratory distress syndrome- coronavirus 2) viral infection has a predilection for pancreatic beta cells causing insulin deficiency. Studies from the SARS-CoV outbreak in 2003 highlighted the relationship between SARS-CoV and ACE-2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptors in pancreatic islet cells. We describe a pediatric patient who developed Diabetes Mellitus after exposure to the Sars-CoV-2 virus. Case Report: A previously healthy 13-year-old female of Mexican descent was found to be hyperglycemic at her annual visit. The patient endorsed polyuria and polydipsia for 3 weeks, and weight loss for 3months. 3 months prior to presentation, her mother became ill and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR analysis. The patient had no SARS-CoV-2 associated symptoms. Her exam was notable for a BMI was in the 78%ile for age with no acanthosis nigricans. She had no family history of diabetes or autoimmune disease. Initial blood glucose was 729 mg/dL, with bicarbonate of 20.6 mEq/L, pH 7.45, and anion gap of 14 mEq/L. Large ketones were present in the urine. Her concomitant C-peptide level of 1.0 ng/ml was low in the setting of hyperglycemia. Her HbA1c was 14.3%. Diabetes-related autoantibodies, celiac, and thyroid antibodies were negative. Her Sars-CoV-2 antibody titer was positive with a negative PCR. The patient was treated with a basal-bolus regimen of subcutaneous insulin at a maximal total daily dose of 0.7 u/kg/day. 5 weeks later, her insulin requirement and HbA1C were both lower; at 0.5 u/kg/day and 9.3% respectively. Discussion: This patient’s symptoms of hyperglycemia started shortly after her exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. She had no features consistent with Type 2 DM. She similarly had no serological evidence of DM related autoimmunity, thus being different from reports of new-onset Type 1 DM with confirmed autoimmunity presenting during the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic. Although Type 1B DM without evidence of humoral islet autoimmunity and monogenic DM could not be fully excluded, we postulate that the patient developed SARS-CoV-2 associated DM given her time course and documented exposure to SARS –CoV-2 with the presence of SARS-CoV antibodies. One similar case has previously been reported By Holstein et al. 1 While we share the lack of direct evidence of causation, we postulate that more patients with similar presentations will be reported during the current pandemic. Reference: 1.Hollstein, T et al. Autoantibody-negative insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case report [published online ahead of print, 2020 Sep 2]. Nat Metab. 2020;10.1038/s42255-020-00281-8. doi:10.1038/s42255-020-00281-8