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Molecular aspects of myocarditis

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Abstract

Myocarditis is an acquired form inflammatory heart muscle disease, manifested as acute and chronic conditions. While many etiologies have been reported, the most common cause of this disease is infection, primarily viral. Typically, the specific causative agent(s) and mechanism(s) are elusive. Over the past several years, various new findings have added to our understanding of myocarditis. These include the identification of adenoviruses as important causative agents, a new receptor protein likely to play an important role in the virulence of certain agents affecting the myocardium, and the effect of viruses on the cardiac cytoskeleton. This report reviews the current understanding of myocarditis, proposes a hypothesis about the long-term sequelae, and suggests possible new therapeutic strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Section of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, 77030, Houston, TX, USA

    Neil E. Bowles PhD

  2. Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, 77030, Houston, TX, USA

    Jeffrey A. Towbin MD

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  1. Neil E. Bowles PhD
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  2. Jeffrey A. Towbin MD
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Bowles, N.E., Towbin, J.A. Molecular aspects of myocarditis. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2, 308–314 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-000-0008-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-000-0008-x

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