ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Coxsackie B virus (CVB) was first isolated in the late 1940s in Coxsackie, New York, and is now known to be widespread worldwide. It particle is small, non-enveloped, and contains a positive single-stranded RNA genome, primarily causing viral myocarditis through direct myocardial injury and immune-mediated damage, potentially progressing to dilated cardiomyopathy. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of Coxsackie B virus in heart patients and healthy controls and to detect the B3 gene by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Material and Method: The study was conducted in general Cardiac Center Erbil/Iraq. A total (140) blood samples was collected (90 from heart patients and (50) from healthy controls in order to estimate the prevalence of Coxsackie B virus antibodies IgG and IgM serological by using ELISA and molecular detection of B3 gene by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Result: The total seropositivity of Coxsackie B virus IgG and IgM was (3.3,5.5) for heart patients and (4%) for healthy control serologically, while (100%) were positive for molecular detection of Coxsackie B3 gene. Conclusion: It's concluded that, there was no significant association between Coxsackie B virus antibodies (IgG,IgM) and myocarditis; positivity rates were low and similar in both patients and controls. The B3 gene is a sensitive marker for molecular detection of the Coxsackie virus, particularly in heart patients.