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Enteroviruses and myocarditis
1Cardiac Department, King's College Hospital, London.
Abstract:
Myocarditis causes distinctive histological changes of the myocardium and is most commonly caused by enterovirus infection. Enterovirus RNA has been detected in tissue samples obtained from patients with myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy. Similar findings in dilated cardiomyopathy support the hypothesis that it results from myocarditis in some cases and that enterovirus infection plays a pathogenetic role in the disease process.
Insights
Myocarditis, often caused by enterovirus infection, shows specific myocardial changes. Enterovirus RNA detection in biopsies supports its role in myocarditis and potentially dilated cardiomyopathy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Myocarditis presents with characteristic myocardial histological changes.
- Enterovirus infections are a common cause of myocarditis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of enterovirus infection in myocarditis.
- To explore the link between enterovirus-induced myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Main Methods:
- Detection of enterovirus RNA in myocardial tissue samples.
- Analysis of histological changes in endomyocardial biopsies.
Main Results:
- Enterovirus RNA was detected in myocardial tissue from myocarditis patients.
- Histological findings in myocarditis are distinct.
Conclusions:
- Enterovirus infection is a significant cause of myocarditis.
- Myocarditis may be an underlying factor in some cases of dilated cardiomyopathy, with enterovirus playing a pathogenetic role.