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Dilated cardiomyopathy associated with hepatitis C virus infection
A Matsumori1, Y Matoba, S Sasayama
1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Circulation
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Hepatitis C virus infection is linked to dilated cardiomyopathy. This study found evidence of hepatitis C virus in heart tissue, suggesting it may cause the condition and warranting antiviral therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Virology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Viral infections are suspected causes of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Direct evidence linking specific viruses to dilated cardiomyopathy is often lacking.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies for enterovirus RNA have yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
- To determine the presence and quantity of HCV RNA in serum and heart tissue of DCM patients.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated HCV RNA in serum and heart tissue using PCR.
- Assessed anti-HCV antibodies in patients with DCM and ischemic heart disease.
- Analyzed HCV RNA levels and strands in affected patients.
Main Results:
- 16.7% of DCM patients had anti-HCV antibodies, significantly higher than controls (2.5%).
- HCV RNA was detected in the serum of 4 out of 6 antibody-positive DCM patients, predominantly type II.
- HCV RNA (positive and negative strands) was found in the heart tissue of DCM patients.
Conclusions:
- HCV infection is frequently observed in DCM patients.
- HCV is implicated as a potential causal agent in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Antiviral therapy for HCV may be beneficial for patients with DCM.