[The role of Coxsackie B viruses in the etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy].

In order to establish the relationship between Coxsackie B virus infection and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP), 53 patients suffering from DCMP underwent serological tests. The rate of demonstration of virus-neutralizing antibodies at different titres was compared with the respective values in the previously examined 180 patients with myocarditis, 58 patients with myocardial sclerosis and 150 normal persons. In DCMP, antibodies against B2 type virus were detectable more frequently (p less than 0.001) and at higher titres (p less than 0.05) that in normal persons. Antibodies at the titres greater than 1:128 were most demonstrable in myocarditis and then at an equal rate in DCMP and focal myocardial sclerosis following Coxsackie myocarditis. The conclusion is drawn about the relationship between Coxsackie infection and DCMP as well as between DCMP and myocarditis. The reported data on the mechanisms by which myocarditis progresses to DCMP are discussed.