Enteroviruses have been considered to be the most common cause of acute 
myocarditis and possible consequence of dilated cardiomyopathy. Some 
publications shed light to the role of other viruses in this disease as well. 
Our molecular investigation has demonstrated that adeno- and herpes viruses 
might also frequently occur in dilated cardiomyopathy.
AIM: The aim of our study was to screen virus genomes in heart tissues from 
heart-transplanted patients to prove their possible role in the pathogenesis of 
dilated cardiomyopathy.
METHODS: DNA and RNA were isolated from five regions of the heart muscle. 
Amplification for Adenovirus Type 3, Human Herpes Virus Type 6 and Enterovirus 
genomes were performed by nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Finally the 
virus-positive samples were direct sequenced.
RESULTS: In 2 patients Adenovirus Type 3 and in 1 patient both Adenovirus Type 3 
and Human Herpes Virus Type 6 were detected. No enteroviruses were found in any 
heart tissue.
CONCLUSIONS: In our study the adenovirus genome was found to be the most 
frequent virus genome in explanted heart tissues. The identified viral sequences 
proved previous viral infection, which could have played a role in the 
development of dilated cardiomyopathy. Detection of different viruses in the 
myocardium by molecular biological examinations might contribute to adequate 
treatment of these patients.