JOURNAL ARTICLE
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Molecular diagnosis of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy in children: clinicopathologic features and prognostic implications.

Myocarditis is the most common cause of heart failure in children. We investigated viral etiology of myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in children and correlated molecular findings with pathologic and clinical data. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription (RT)-PCR were used to analyze 59 endomyocardial biopsies from 48 consecutive young (<18 yrs) patients (pts) with clinical and histologic diagnosis of myocarditis and DCM, employing primers designed to amplify specific sequences of various DNA and RNA viruses. Nucleic acids were successfully extracted in 41 pts and viral genomes were found in 20 (49%): 12 out of 26 pts (46%) with myocarditis, 6 out of 13 (46%) pts with DCM, and both patients with endocardial fibroelastosis. Enteroviruses were more common in DCM (72%), whereas adenoviruses and enteroviruses shared the same rate (36%) in myocarditis. The mumps virus genome was detected in the two pts with endocardial fibroelastosis. More diffuse inflammatory infiltrates and myocyte damage as well as more impaired left ventricular end diastolic volume and shortening fraction were noted in viral positive cases. PCR positive pts had a worse outcome, resulting in transplantation or death. Three out of 8 pts with viral myocarditis who underwent cardiac transplantation had recurrent PCR-proven graft viral infection. Viral myocarditis/DCM appeared to be a more severe disease than nonviral forms. Enteroviruses were more common in DCM, whereas adenoviruses were as frequent as enteroviruses in myocarditis. Persistence of viral infection was associated with disease deterioration. Viral myocarditis relapsed after transplantation.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app