Fibrosis and deposition of amylin polypeptide within islets are most characteristic of the chronic states of type II diabetes. Normal islets of Langerhans, on the right with immunoperoxidase staining for insulin to identify beta cells and on the left with immunoperoxidase staining for glucagon to identify alpha cells, microscopic. Islet of Langerhans demonstrating amorphous pink deposition of amyloid in a patient with type II diabetes mellitus, microscopic. There are a variety of complications involving the kidney. Both nodular and diffuse glomerulosclerosis can lead to chronic renal failure.
Diabetics are prone to infections, particularly pyelonephritis.
Both bacterial and fungal infections can occur. Renal glomerulus demonstrating nodular glomerulosclerosis with diabetes mellitus, microscopic. Renal glomerulus with nodular glomerulosclerosis along with hyaline arteriolosclerosis with diabetes mellitus, PAS stain, microscopic. Kidney, acute pyelonephritis shown involving the medulla, microscopic. Renal pelvis involved by an ascending urinary tract infection with Candida albicans, PAS stain, microscopic.