What is coxsackie b virus?

The Coxsackie B viruses are members of the enterovirus genus and are the most common agent for myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy constituting 50% of infections. The group coxsackievirus was named because these viruses were pathogenic for infant mice and because the first virus of this type was isolated from a patient from the town of Coxsackie New York.

Coxsackie B infection is characterized by fever, fatigue, malaise and chest pains. Infection of the heart by a coxsackie B virus can lead to viral myocarditis. Viral myocarditis is a inflammatory disease of the heart which can result in heart failure. Although the disease does not usually cause death, there is a 20% incidence of reoccurrence and permanent heart damage typically results.