Binding of Immunoglobulins in the Myocardium (Biopsies) in Cardiomyopathies

Abstract

Immunologic findings are characteristic in some myocardial diseases: Humoral myocardial antibodies can be demonstrated in the acute phase of rheumatic heart disease. Since the work of Kaplan [5] and Zabriskie [7] cross reactive antibodies against streptococci and myocardial membranes seemed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic carditis. The coincidence of 70% humoral myocardial antibodies in acute rheumatic carditis supports this concept in the diagnostic area. Also the high percentage of humoral myocardial antibodies in postear dio tomy syndrome and in postmyocardial infarction syndrome (Dressier) against sarcolemmal structures give evidence for a diagnostic usefulness [7]. The demonstration of nuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematodes is well known as an unspecific criterion of activity of this immunologic disease. In this context one recently obtained result of our group will be mentioned: In the acute phase of viral carditis in 76% of the patients, myocardial antibodies were found by the indirect immunofluorescence test: 41% nuclear, 23% sarcolemmal and 12% intermyofibrillar types. Nuclear bound antiglobulin IgM was found in every one of these patients, whereas in 57% IgA and in 14% IgG was found. (H.D. Bolte, P. Schlutheiß, B. Ludwig, unpublished)

Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft