Abstract
Summary
An experimental model of both acute and chronic viral valvulitis was studied by direct immunofluorescent antibody technique with parallel histopathologic observation. Coxsackie B4 virus antigen was visualized in the affected valves and mural endocardium of acute infections and remained in situ even after the tissue developed scarring. The antigen was restricted to the stroma of the infected valves in the early stages and became more discretely localized in the endo-thelial cells at a later period. The intense, specific fluorescent reaction at the base of the affected valves provided evidence of valvular involvement by direct extension from adjacent myocardial lesions. Involvement of valves and mural endocardium of right side of the hearts was more frequent, especially in the early stages of infection. The studies show that the coxsackievirus B4 can produce valvulitis in mice as well as pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.