The recent rapid advances in our knowledge of immunological and virological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of viral heart disease makes it difficult for everybody working in this field to keep up with the latest developments. How­ ever, much of what we know is still circumstantial and only vaguely substained. Interdisciplinary understanding and cooperation thus seems necessary to get a better insight into the mechanisms by which viruses may initiate immunological organ-specific tissue injury and disease! This volume evolved out of an international symposium by the same title held on May 25. -28. , 1988 in Tegernsee, near Munich, of which a wide spectrum ofim­ munological, virological, diagnostical and clinical problems was covered. Both review articles and new experimental and clinical data are included in this volume to give the reader an up-to-date information about current concepts and future aspects. Chapter I serves as an excellent introduction to the epidemiology and natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy / viral heart disease. Although a definite viral etiology in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy is often difficult to establish, epidemiological and serological data incriminate a viral etiology underlying many cases of "dilated cardiomyopathy". Chapters II and III describe the current think­ ing on virological and immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of viral heart disease. Among others virus topism, virus persistance, possible mechanisms and genetic basis of post-infection autoimmunity, and the virus-interaction with the immune system are discussed.