Relevance of inflammatory cell infiltrates for complete atrioventricular block in experimental murine myocarditis.
BACKGROUND
There are few systemic pathologic studies on myocarditis. This study aimed to clarify the pathologic characteristics of murine myocarditis.


METHODS
We recorded serial electrocardiograms in experimental viral myocarditis in mice and then examined their cardiac pathology. After taking baseline electrocardiograms, we inoculated the mice intraperitoneally with the encephalomyocarditis virus. Electrocardiograms were serially recorded until 220 days after the virus inoculation.


RESULTS
Serial electrocardiograms revealed ectopic beats, low voltage of the QRS complex, and the appearance of complete atrioventricular (AV) block. Corresponding myocardial lesions were found in the hearts of mice with these ectopic beats. Mononuclear cell infiltrations into the His bundle were most frequently found in mice with complete AV block.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammatory change with cellular infiltrations was the most common pathologic finding in mice with complete AV block. In clinical settings, anti-inflammatory therapy might be recommended for patients with myocarditis complicated with conduction disturbances.
Kishimoto
Chiharu
C
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. kkishi@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Ohmae
Minoru
M
Tomioka
Nobuyoshi
N
D000818:Animals; D002036:Bundle of His / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D018188:Cardiovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004686:Encephalomyocarditis virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006327:Heart Block / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D009336:Necrosis; D013194:Staining and Labeling