Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Single-cell Analysis of Immunophenotype and Cytokine Production in Peripheral Whole Blood via Mass Cytometry
12:36

Single-cell Analysis of Immunophenotype and Cytokine Production in Peripheral Whole Blood via Mass Cytometry

Published on: June 26, 2018

9.5K

Autoimmune Heart Disease: A Comprehensive Summary for Forensic Practice

Eleonora Mezzetti1, Andrea Costantino1, Matteo Leoni1

  • 1Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|August 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Autoimmune heart disease involves immune attacks on the heart, often with unclear symptoms. This study proposes using blood markers to help forensic pathologists identify these conditions during autopsies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Immunology
  • Forensic Medicine

Background:

  • Autoimmune heart disease is characterized by immune system aggression against cardiac tissue.
  • Cardiac changes can be nonspecific, leading to misdiagnosis and fatal outcomes, especially in young individuals.
  • Differentiating various cardiopathies is challenging without reliable medical history.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the spectrum of autoimmune cardiopathies, including emerging types like SARS-CoV-2-induced conditions.
  • To propose practical tools, such as blood markers, for forensic pathology practice.
  • To aid forensic pathologists in differentiating cardiopathies during autopsy examinations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of immunohistochemical and genetic studies on cardiopathies.
  • Analysis of diagnostic challenges in forensic pathology.
  • Proposal for integrating blood markers into autopsy protocols.

Main Results:

  • Autoimmune heart disease presents diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific cardiac changes.
  • Standardized protocols are needed for forensic pathologists investigating cardiopathies.
  • Emerging insights include SARS-CoV-2-induced cardiopathies.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized protocols and practical tools like blood markers are essential for forensic pathologists.
  • Improved diagnostic methods can aid in identifying autoimmune heart disease during autopsies.
  • Early recognition and differentiation of autoimmune cardiopathies are crucial for accurate forensic assessments.

Keywords:
autoimmune pathologycardiac involvementcardiomyopathy

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse12:24

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse

Published on: June 20, 2014

10.0K
Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells13:01

Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells

Published on: June 23, 2014

134.9K

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
16
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
38
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management01:21

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
13
Autoimmune Disorders01:29

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
493
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
9
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
12