Europe PMC

This website requires cookies, and the limited processing of your personal data in order to function. By using the site you are agreeing to this as outlined in our privacy notice and cookie policy.

Abstract 


Immunofluorescent and electron-microscopic studies were performed to determine the distribution of viral antigens and particles and to clarify the relationship to myocardial lesions in two autopsy cases with generalized infection of Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3) or cytomegalovirus (CMV). Case 1 was a full-term newborn female infant, without any congenital anomalies, who died of cardiac failure 10 days after birth. CVB3 was isolated from the blood before death. Necrosis of the muscle fibers was observed, frequently accompanying calcification. Numerous histiocytes and a few lymphocytes and neutrophils had infiltrated in and around the necrotic areas. Immunofluorescent study (IF) revealed CVB3 antigen in the muscle fibers and vascular endothelial cells. Case 2 was a female infant, born at 28 weeks of gestation, who died of fatal arrhythmia 50 days after birth. The infant had hemocephalus and a history of idiopathic respiratory distress and underwent an operation for patent ductus arteriosus. Cytomegalic cells were frequently found in the vascular endothelial cells in the myocardium and occasionally in muscle fibers. IF showed the presence of CMV antigen in both endothelial cells and muscle fibers. CVB3 and CMV antigens were detected predominantly in vascular endothelial cells rather than in the muscle fibers. Blood flow disturbance due to endothelial damage is a cause of the myocardial lesion in addition to the direct invasion of the muscle fibers by the virus.

References 


Articles referenced by this article (23)


Show 10 more references (10 of 23)

Citations & impact 


Impact metrics

Jump to Citations

Citations of article over time

Article citations


Go to all (7) article citations