Autoimmune disease of the cardiac muscle
includes myocarditis, myocardiopathy and Dressler's syndrome. Cardiac
muscle antibodies has a high specificity (80%) and sensitivity (90%) for
idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
These antibodies can target adenosine
nucleotide translocator protein, cardiac myosin and tropomyosin.
Image: Autoantibodies to primate cardiac
muscle. Staining of myosin fibres. Caution must be exercised due to
cross-reactivity of skeletal muscle antibodies.
