About Haiti...

[Erin]

Dr. Fett, why is there greater incidence of PPCM in Haiti? Or is there an answer to that question yet?

[JAMESFETT]

At this stage, I believe there are 3 reasons for the high incidence of PPCM in Haiti:

1)Genetically-susceptible population, all African slave origin, with varying measures of racial blending.
2)Virulent viral pool in Haiti, with cardiotropic (preference for causing heart inflamation or myocarditis) viruses (trying to prove this)
3)In addition to pregnancy-blunted immune system, otherwise decrease resistance, possibly nutritional basis, although no macro or micro nutrient deficiency identified to-date. We believe that Haitian peasant women lose some or much of their increased susceptibility to PPCM decreases.

Despite this difference is frequency of PPCM, all other aspects are similar to PPCM anywhere in the world, including response to treatment and potential to recover normal heart function.

JDF

[JAMESFETT]

Completing sentence in point 3, we believe that Haitian women lose much of their increased susceptibility when they immigrate to the USA or Europe or Canada.

JDF