Abstract
Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute phase protein produced in various tissues in response to microbial and sterile stimuli, which regulates the inflammation outcomes. PTX3 has not been investigated in myocarditis. Our aim was to assess circulating and cardiac tissue expression of PTX3 in 55 patients with myocarditis proven by magnetic resonance and/or endomyocardial biopsy. A major proportion of patients with myocarditis displayed significantly increased plasma PTX3 levels as compared with controls (26/30 vs. 0/10), with higher diagnostic yield than conventional biomarkers in the study group. Cardiac tissue analysis revealed PTX3 expression in all patients (40/40), with viral myocarditis exhibiting higher signal intensity than autoimmune myocarditis, andwith a predominant localization in cardiomyocytes. Abnormal plasma PTX3 was associated with systolic dysfunction and heart failure at presentation. Interestingly, patients who recovered by 12months had higher baseline PTX3 levels. Our preliminary data support the potential use of PTX3 as a biomarker in myocarditis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
