[Coxsackie B virus infection and cardiopathies]

Neutralizing antibody activity against Coxsackie virus group B, types 1-6, was determined on paired serum samples taken from 16 hospitalized patients affected by acute heart diseases of suspected viral origin. Serum samples were also taken from 4 additional cases of pleuropericarditis observed in the course of a small outbreak of Coxsackie B2 infection. Serological evidence of virus infection was based on the occurrence of the following conditions: a) twofold or greater variation of virus neutralizing antibody; b) antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:256. Evidence of Coxsackie B2 virus infection was found in 12 patients, while Coxsackievirus B1, B3, B5 and B6 infection, respectively, could be associated with 4 cases. The advisability of performing serological examination for Coxsackie group B viruses antibodies in patients with heart diseases of suspected viral origin is emphasized.