[Nucleic acid hybridization technique detection of enterovirus RNA in myocarditis]

Forty five specimens from human myocarditic or myopathic tissues were examined for enteroviruses by in situ hybridization with 2 biotin labelled generic enterovirus probes pCBIII/35 and pCBIII/51. Positive hybridization signals were obtained in 12 samples (26.6%). Enterovirus RNA were obtained in 5 out of these 12 samples (41.7%) by the presence of positive hybridization signals with a coxsackie B3 virus type-specific probe pCBIII/29. The positive hybridization signals were primarily localized within the cytoplasm of single or several myocytes and the myocardial interstitial tissues, and were also occasionally seen within the cytoplasm of endotheliocytes of blood vessels in the myocardium.