In situ detection of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene transcripts within cardiac myocytes of patients with HIV-associated cardiomyopathy

Abstract

This study is the first to demonstrate the expression of the IE gene of CMV within myocytes from HIV-infected patients with cardiomyopathy, suggesting a non-permissive infection of myocytes without classical intranuclear inclusions. Myocyte infection may be necessary to trigger cellular and humoral-mediated cardiac injury and may be best identified using in situ hybridization techniques.