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Who are the enemies? Inflammation and autoimmune mechanisms

Å. Hjalmarson*, M. Fu and R. Mobini

The Cardiovascular Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden

* Correspondence:Å. Hjalmarson, The Cardiovascular Institute, Sahlgreska University Hospital, 41345 Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract

Inflammation and autoimmune mechanisms are involved in the development of clinical myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy, and may also play a role in the progression of congestive heart failure, regardless of aetiology. New molecular biological and immunohistological methods have confirmed the persistence of viral infection in patients with myocarditis as well as in those with a diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. A causal link between viral myocarditis and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy has been proposed but remains to be confirmed. This may have prognostic implications and lead to new therapies such as immunosuppression, immunomodulation and antiviral therapies in cardiomyopathy and myocarditis. More recently it has been found that inflammatory reactions are also involved in the progression of congestive heart failure, regardless of aetiology.

Key Words: Autoantibody • autoimmune • cardiomyopathy • myocarditis


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