title: Toward a clearer understanding of the link between viral infection of the heart and dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: This commentary discusses the current knowledge regarding the relationship between virus, myocarditis, and dilated cardiomyopathy. The concept of inflammatory cardiomyopathy is discussed. The possible role of HIV in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in HIV-seropositive subjects is critically evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Saffitz
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology