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Published on: August 8, 2022
Cardiomyopathy in Africa: heredity versus environment
Bongani M Mayosi1, Krishna Somers
1Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.
Cardiovascular Journal of Africa
|July 7, 2007
Summary
Heart muscle disease, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF), is common in Africa. Research highlights genetic factors in DCM and environmental/infective factors in EMF, urging further study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiomyopathy is prevalent in Africa, with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) being major forms.
- DCM is a significant cause of heart failure continent-wide, while EMF is geographically restricted to tropical regions.
- Other cardiomyopathies like hypertrophic and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy appear similar to global presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and pathogenesis of cardiomyopathies in Africa.
- To highlight the genetic heterogeneity of DCM and the potential factors contributing to EMF.
- To emphasize the need for further research into the causes of prevalent heart muscle diseases in Africa.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiological and genetic studies on cardiomyopathy in Africa.
- Analysis of the known genetic and non-genetic factors implicated in DCM and EMF.
- Discussion of the role of HIV infection and inflammatory agents in DCM pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- DCM in Africa shows genetic heterogeneity, with both Mendelian and multifactorial causes, similar to global findings.
- HIV infection underscores the role of inflammatory agents in DCM.
- EMF pathogenesis is not fully understood, with geography, potential infective agents, and eosinophilia as proposed factors, but limited evidence for genetic links.
Conclusions:
- Further investigation is crucial to identify genetic and non-genetic factors contributing to EMF and other cardiomyopathies prevalent in Africa.
- Understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies for heart muscle diseases in the African population.
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