Emerging evidence indicates a bi‐directional relationship between SARS‐CoV‐2 and diabetes. The possibility exists that SARS‐CoV‐2 could induce diabetes, but it is not yet clear whether this might be a fulminant‐type diabetes, autoimmune diabetes, or a new‐onset transient hyperglycaemia. This viewpoint discusses mechanisms by which SARS‐CoV‐2 might trigger type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Specifically, we looked at the role of post‐translational protein modifications (PTMs) and the generation of neoepitopes as a potential mechanism in the induction of islet autoimmunity, and the pathways via which coronavirus infections might exacerbate the formation of PTMs and, in so doing, provoke the onset of T1DM.

This article describes my reflections of speaking with three patients and their families living with mastocytosis, who I was introduced to through the UK Mastocytosis Support Group. I discuss the various ways in which the condition affects their day-to-day lives and how this has changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. I have tried to give an insight into the particular difficulties that this patient group faces, both during and before the pandemic, whilst also considering how these challenges may resonate more widely with other patient groups in the rare disease community. Pseudonyms are used throughout to protect patient anonymity.

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