title: Saffold virus infection associated with human myocarditis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Saffold virus was described in 2007 as one of the first human viruses within the genus cardioviruses. Cardioviruses may cause severe infections of the myocardium in animals, and several studies have associated saffold virus with human disease. As a result, saffold virus has been isolated from different anatomical compartments, including the myocardium, but, until now, it has not been possible to demonstrate the accompanying histopathological signs of inflammation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to examine if saffold virus is capable of causing invasive infection in the human myocardium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using real-time PCR, we retrospectively examined formalin-fixed paraffin embedded cardiac tissue specimens from 150 deceased individuals diagnosed with myocarditis at autopsy. The results were compared with histological findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Saffold virus was detected in the myocardium, lung tissue and blood of one child and was accompanied by histopathological inflammation in the heart and lungs, which was supportive of a viral infection. These findings suggest that cardioviruses may be associated with myocarditis in humans.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Research, Vendsyssel Hospital/Department of Clinical Medicine, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Aalborg University, Denmark. Electronic address: tsn@retsmedicin.au.dk.
authors.forename: Trine Skov
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology/Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Electronic address: alex.christian.yde.nielsen@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Alex Yde
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Frederik V's Vej 11, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. Electronic address: jytte.banner@sund.ku.
authors.forename: Jytte
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banner
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. Electronic address: jah@forens.au.dk.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Research, Vendsyssel Hospital/Department of Clinical Medicine, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Aalborg University, Denmark. Electronic address: utb@rn.dk.
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Baandrup
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology/Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. Electronic address: larspn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lars Peter
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018188:Cardiovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D057089:Pathology, Molecular; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017945:Theilovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Forensic medicine; Human myocarditis; PCR; Saffold virus; Virology