Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 15, 2004; 10(22): 3299-3302
Published online Nov 15, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i22.3299
Coxsackievirus B3 infection and its mutation in Keshan disease
Li-Qun Ren, Xiang-Jun Li, Guang-Sheng Li, Zhi-Tao Zhao, Bo Sun, Fei Sun
Li-Qun Ren, Xiang-Jun Li, Guang-Sheng Li, Zhi-Tao Zhao, Bo Sun, Department of Pathology, Institute of Frontier Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Fei Sun, Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Frontier Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 39870668
Correspondence to: to Professor Guang-Sheng Li, Department of Pathology, Institute of Frontier Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China. ligs@public.cc.jl.cn
Telephone: +86-431-5619287
Received: December 28, 2003
Revised: February 4, 2004
Accepted: February 10, 2004
Published online: November 15, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To investigate coxsackievirus B3 infection and its gene mutation in Keshan disease.

METHODS: The expression of Coxsackievirus B3 RNA was detected in autopsy specimens of acute (12 cases), sub-acute (27 cases) and chronic (15 cases) Keshan disease by in situ hybridization. In sub-acute Keshan disease specimens, 3 cases with positive result by in situ hybridization were selected RT-PCR analysis. The DNA segments were then sequenced.

RESULTS: Coxsackievirus B3 RNA was detected in the cytoplasm of myocardiocyte. The positive rate was 83% in acute, 67% in sub-acute and 80% in chronic Keshan disease. In the conservative region of Coxsackievirus B3 genome, there was a mutation in 234 (C-T) compared to the non-cardiovirulent strain, CVB3/0.

CONCLUSION: Coxsackievirus B3 RNA can survive and replicate in heart muscle of Keshan disease, which may play an important role in the occurrence of Keshan disease. The possible mechanism of occurrence of Keshan disease is associated with point a mutation in Coxsackievirus B3 genome.

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