Related Experiment Videos
HIV-associated myocarditis. Pathology and immunopathology
W E Beschorner1, K Baughman, R P Turnicky
1Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
The American Journal of Pathology
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with myocarditis show a distinct T-cell infiltrate, primarily CD8+ lymphocytes. This immunopathology suggests cell-mediated injury, similar to a subgroup of non-HIV myocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Autopsy studies reveal a high incidence of myocarditis in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients.
- Understanding the pathogenesis of HIV-associated myocarditis is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the pathology and immunopathology of endomyocardial biopsies from HIV-positive patients with active myocarditis.
- To compare these findings with myocarditis in patients without HIV risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Systematic characterization of nine endomyocardial biopsies from 18 HIV-positive patients.
- Comparison with 17 biopsies from non-HIV patients with active myocarditis.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of cellular infiltrates and endothelial antigen expression.
Main Results:
- Myocarditis in both groups featured lymphocytic infiltrates and myocyte necrosis.
- HIV-positive patients predominantly showed CD8+ T cells in infiltrates (P < 0.01).
- Arteriolar endothelium in both groups expressed induced Class I and II HLA antigens.
Conclusions:
- The immunopathology of HIV-associated myocarditis involves cell-mediated injury.
- Findings suggest similarities between HIV-associated myocarditis and a subgroup of non-HIV myocarditis.
- The virus (HIV-1) was not detected in the myocardial specimens via in situ hybridization.