A 31-year-old man with confirmed infection by monkey pox developed acute myocarditis regarding a week following the onset of symptoms of infection, according to a case study published in the magazine JACC: Case Reports.
Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscleIt is usually caused by a viral infection. It was previously associated with smallpox infection, a more aggressive virus, and the authors of the case study explain that “by extrapolation, monkeypox virus may have tissue tropism myocardium or cause immune-mediated injury to the heart.”
“Through this important case study, we are developing a deeper understanding of monkey poxof viral myocarditis and how to accurately diagnose and manage this disease”, highlights Julia Grapsaeditor-in-chief of JACC: Case Report.
skin lesion
The authors of this study have used mapping of the CMR, a comprehensive imaging tool to aid in the diagnosis of myocarditis -he continues-. I congratulate the authors for this valuable clinical case during a critical moment in which the monkey pox it continues to spread throughout the world.”
The patient presented to a health center five days following the onset of monkeypox symptoms, which included malaise, myalgia, fever, and multiple swollen lesions on the face, hands, and genitalia. Monkeypox infection was confirmed with a PCR swab sample from a skin lesion. The patient returned to the emergency department three days later, reporting tightness in the chest that radiated down the left arm.
The patient was admitted to an intensive care unit following an initial routine examination with clinical suspicion of acute myocarditis. The initial ECG showed sinus rhythm with nonspecific abnormalities of ventricular repolarization. and routine laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of C-reactive protein, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), high-sensitivity troponin I, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), all which may indicate an injury of stress on the heart.
The results of the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) study performed on the patient were consistent with myocardial inflammation and a diagnosis of acute myocarditis.
heart condition
“This case highlights cardiac involvement as a possible complication associated with infection by monkey pox», explains Dr. Ana Isabel Pinho, from the cardiology department of the São João University Hospital Center (Portugal) and lead author of the study.
“We believe that reporting this possible causal relationship can further sensitize the scientific community Health professionals on acute myocarditis as a possible complication associated with monkeypox – he highlights – and might be useful for close follow-up of affected patients to recognize other complications in the future”.
The patient was discharged following one week with a complete recovery. The authors state that more research is needed to identify the relationship between monkeypox and cardiac injuries.
Symptoms
Monkeypox is transmitted by close contact with lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets. In addition to the rash, symptoms may include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory symptoms, and muscle aches. Most infections are mild, and symptoms can last two to four weeks. Vaccination is recommended for people with known or suspected exposure to the virus.
