The role of cell mediated immunity in coxsackie B viral myocarditis.

The role of cell mediated immunity (CMI) in the pathogenesis of coxsackie B (Cox. B) viral myocarditis in the adult were immunologically investigated. The number of types of neutralizing antibody in patients with Cox. B viral myocarditis was more than that in controls. This fact suggested that these patients had a history of previous Cox. B viral infections. In the patient with Cox. B viral myocarditis, neutralizing antibody titer was increased as 20 folds by the reinfection. And also macrophage migration inhibition test showed that CMI was enhanced not only against the same type but also against the other types of Cox.B group viruses. In conclusion, it may be essential in the occurrence of adult myocarditis that the patient has been infected by Cox.B virus and immunized against the other types as well as the same type of Cox.B group viruses. CMI may also play a critical role in the occurrence of Cox.B viral myocarditis.