Molecular Diagnosis of Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Children: Clinicopathologic Features and Prognostic Implications

48 consecutive young (<18 yrs) patients with clinical and histologic diagnosis of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Nucleic acids were successfully extracted in 41 patients.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis of endomyocardial biopsies to detect viral genomes.

Patients with nonviral (PCR-negative) myocarditis or DCM.

Correlation of viral genome presence with pathologic features, echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular end diastolic volume and shortening fraction), and clinical outcomes (transplantation or death).hard clinical