| Abstract: | The presence or absence of islet cell antibodies and other autoantibodies was determined in 47 African and 34 Indian patients with IDDM and 37 controls. Islet cell antibodies (ICA-IgG) were found in over a third of the patients and in only 2 controls. Complement fixing antibodies (ICA-Cf) were found in 10% of patients, but in none of the controls. Persistence of ICA beyond 3 years was more frequent in Black compared to Indian patients. Parietal cell antibodies were found more often in patients (20%) than controls (5%) as were thyroid microsomal antibodies (11% vs. 0%). None of the patients or controls had adrenal antibodies. |
