[Detection of serum coxsackievirus B-specific antibody and nucleic acid in aged patients with cardiopathy].

Objective: To understand the status of coxsackievirus B (CVB) infection in senior subjects and explore the association of the infection with cardiovascular diseases.

Method: By means of ELISA and RT-PCR, CVB IgG antibody and nucleic acid were detected in 172 patients with cardiopathy and 58 control subjects.

Results: The positivity rate of CVB IgG antibody was 43.61% (75/172) in the patient group and 15.52% (9/58) in the control group, showing obvious difference between the two groups. CVB RNA tests revealed a CVB RNA-positivity rate of 20.93% (36/172) in the former group and 3.45% (2/58) in the latter, with also a significant difference (P<0.01).

Conclusion: CVB infection is prevalent in aged patients with heart disease, which should be given due attention to.