[Retrospective study of coxsackie B virus infections and congestive cardiomyopathy].

Thirty patients with congestive cardiomyopathy (C.C.) have been studied for the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to coxsackie B viruses in comparison with age and sex matched controls. Seropositivity toward each antigen was similar in cases and controls: an exception was coxsackie B5 virus, where a significantly seropositivity was found in the control group. As a whole, high antibody titers to any antigen were observed more frequently on sera of cardiopathic patients; however the difference between cases and controls of g.m.t. to each antigen tested was not statistically significant, with the exception of coxsackie B1 virus. The absence of a clear relationship between C.C. and viral infections might be explained through biological as well as epidemiological considerations; of particular relevance, the long duration of cardiac disease (average length 71 months, median 54). Final considerations are offered regarding the methodologic approach for a better understanding of the etiology of this elusive disease.