The viral and immunological characteristics of cardiomyopathies and myocarditis

: As many as 97 patients with myocardial lesions: congestive and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (CMP), postmyocarditis CMP (PM CMP), myocarditis (MC), alcoholic heart injury (AHI), coronary heart disease (CHD), vegetodysovarian myocardiodystrophy were examined by means of a complex of the virological tests (for Coxsackie B, Epstein-Barr and hepatitis B viruses) and immunoassays (for antibodies to different components of the myocardium, leukocyte migration inhibition test, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity test, measurements of T and B lymphocytes and their subpopulations, and so forth). Virus infection was shown to be of a role for the onset of acute MC (usually reversible) and congestive CMP. At the same time the autoimmune mechanisms of the lesions were conclusively ascertained in MC associated with heart failure and in PM CMP. In patients with congestive CMP and AHI coupled with heart failure, antibodies to nerve fibers of the myocardium could be demonstrated in the presence of T-lymphocyte deficiency and high titers of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. This does not allow excluding myocardial denervation leading to refractory heart failure. Some immunological parameters made use of in the study provide an opportunity of an objective evaluation of the effect glucocorticoid treatment produces on patients suffering from MC and PM CMP.