Immunity status against coxsackie viruses B in 25 patients with acute myocarditis.
Viruses are an important cause of myocarditis, particularly the enterovirus group B coxsackievirus. Viral infection may be suspected on the basis of history and presentation and can be proved by direct or serological identification of virus. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with acute myocarditis and were investigated with a serologic test battery covering Coxsackie viruses group B types 1 to 5 at the National Reference Center for Enteroviruses in Cantacuzino Institute Bucharest, Romania. A possible Coxsakie B virus etiology could be documented in 11 from 25 cases with acute myocarditis and high titers against Coxsackie virus B type 2 (1 patient), type 3 (5 patients) and type 5 (in 4 patients) were detected. In one HIV positive patient (17 years old), a concomitant infection with Coxsackie virus B types 2 and 4 was detected. The earlier detection of enterovirus myocarditis could be followed by antiviral therapies with a potential therapeutic role.
Băicuş
Anda
A
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest.
Persu
Ana
A
Popa
M I
MI
Băicuş
C
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral