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[Anti-Coxsackie antibodies and congestive cardiomyopathies]
Insights
Coxsackievirus B infections are frequently linked to congestive cardiomyopathy. Gallium scintiscanning is crucial for diagnosing this viral heart condition, aiding in early detection and management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coxsackievirus B serological positivity was observed in 122 patients over four years.
- This included cases of acute pericarditis, cardiac arrhythmias, Bornholm syndrome, and congestive cardiomyopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Coxsackievirus B infection and congestive cardiomyopathy.
- To evaluate the utility of gallium scintiscanning in diagnosing viral cardiomyopathy.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing for Coxsackievirus B antibodies.
- Hemodynamic studies and gallium scintiscanning in patients with congestive cardiomyopathy.
- Comparison with a control group from Institut Pasteur.
Main Results:
- 14 patients (18.4%) with congestive cardiomyopathy showed significant Coxsackievirus B positivity.
- Gallium scans were positive in all 5 acute cases (Group B) but negative in 4 out of 5 chronic cases (Group A).
- Serological positivity was significantly higher in cardiomyopathy patients (p < 0.001) compared to controls (4.6%).
Conclusions:
- A high frequency of positive Coxsackievirus B serodiagnosis exists in congestive cardiomyopathy.
- Gallium scintiscanning is an important diagnostic tool for identifying viral involvement in cardiomyopathy.
Abstract:
During a 4-years period 122 patients admitted to the cardiologic hospital in Lille presented a significative positivity of serological reaction against Coxsackievirus B. Among these patients 19 suffered from acute pericarditis, 4 from cardiac arrhythmias, 3 from Bornholm syndrome and 14 from apparently primary congestive cardiomyopathy. In most of these 14 patients representing 18.4% of congestive cardiomyopathies investigated at the same time, hemodynamic studies and heart scanning with radioactive gallium were performed. 7 of these patients had a chronic (group A) and 7 an acute evolution (group B). In group A the scans were negative 4 times out of 5, whereas in group B they were positive in 5 out of 5 examinations. The control group including 3247 patients coming from the Institut Pasteur exhibited serological positivity in 4.6% of cases. Comparison of this group with that of cardiomyopathies shows a significant difference (p less than 0.001). The authors draw the attention to the frequency of positive serodiagnosis in congestive cardiomyopathy and stress the importance of gallium scintiscanning.