Rheumatic heart disease and enteroviruses

Abstract

In material from 1086 patients who underwent heart valve disease surgery, traditional hystologic assessment, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer analysis, with calculation of mean Ag granule number per endotheliocyte and fibroblast nucleus; immuno-hystochemical assay with monoclone antibodies to Enteroviruses, vimentin, desmin, SMA, SMA, Ki-67-, bcl-2-antigens; print-smear cytology; and valve PCR were performed. Enterovirus replication was observed in endotheliocytes, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells in all cases of active rheumatism. Endothelial dysfunction was associated with Enterovirus infection.

Keywords

• rheumatism
• enteroviruses
• heart valves