Actin-deficient cardiomyopathy coexisting with celiac disease: a chance association?

A case of idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy associated to celiac disease is presented. The ultrastructural and electrophoretic examination of myocardial samples showed a selective loss of actin. Electron microscopy revealed the characteristic alterations of enterocyte microvilli seen in celiac disease. The involvement of the microfilament system both in the myocardial sarcomere and in the enterocyte may indicate a pathogenic relation between these alterations. Ultrastructural examination of skeletal muscle tissue showed a good preservation of the cell contractile apparatus.