Humoral and cellular immune reactions to the myocardium in myocarditis

Myocarditis is characterized by an infiltration of poly- and mononuclear leucocytes next to necrosis of myofibers in the heart. Various viruses induce this cardiac disorder in most cases, either by their direct cytotoxic action on the cardiocytes or by humoral and cellular immune reactions to the my...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHerz Vol. 17; no. 2; p. 91
Main Authors Herzum, M, Maisch, B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 01.04.1992
Subjects
Adult
Antibody Formation
Autoantibodies - analysis
Autoantigens - analysis
Humans
Immunity, Cellular
Immunoglobulins - analysis
Immunosuppression
Lymphocytes - immunology
Myocarditis - etiology
Myocarditis - immunology
Myocarditis - therapy
Myocardium - immunology
Virus Diseases - complications
Virus Diseases - immunology
Viruses - immunology
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Summary:Myocarditis is characterized by an infiltration of poly- and mononuclear leucocytes next to necrosis of myofibers in the heart. Various viruses induce this cardiac disorder in most cases, either by their direct cytotoxic action on the cardiocytes or by humoral and cellular immune reactions to the myocardium arising after the infection. Epidemiological and experimental and serological studies suggest, that viral myocarditis may lead to dilated heart muscle disease. Therapy consists of reducing cardiac stress by physical inactivity and drugs decreasing cardiac pre- and afterload. Immunosuppression is beneficial in some but not all patients with myocarditis.
ISSN:0340-9937