Proposed Embryopathic Relation between Mumps Virus and Primary Endocardial Fibroelastosis

Abstract

AN intriguing though poorly understood pathogenetic relation between apparent intrauterine mumps-virus infection and primary endocardia fibroelastosis has evolved from intradermal skin testing of 17 patients with inactivated mumps-virus antigen.1 , 2 The observation of virtually uniform cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity to mumps virus in children with primary endocardial fibroelastosis and the revelation of either gestational parotitis or exposure to clinical mumps in 9 of these patients' mothers has evoked considerable speculation regarding this relation.This paper discusses some of the clinical, epidemiologic, immunologic and virologic aspects of studies that have been pursued in these patients.Clinical MethodsThe criteria sustaining a clinical diagnosis . . .