A 31-year-old man diagnosed with monkeypox According to a case study published today in JACC: Case Reports .
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, the same virus that causes smallpox Family, which causes papular or vesicular rashes on the hands, feet, face, genitals, and other parts of the body. Monkeypox was first reported in May 2022 in the European Union as well as in the United States and other non-endemic countries, and cases are increasing. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, usually caused by a viral infection. Myocarditis has previously been associated with smallpox infection, a more aggressive virus, and the case study authors say, “By extrapolation, monkeypox virus may be tropic to myocardial tissue or cause immune-mediated damage to the heart. “
“With this important case study, we are gaining insight into monkeypox, viral myocarditis and how to diagnose it accurately and managing this disease,” said Julia Grapsa, MD, editor-in-chief of JACC: Case Reports . “The authors of this study used CMR mapping, a comprehensive imaging tool, to help diagnose myocarditis. I commend the authors for their study of this valuable clinical case at a critical time when monkeypox continues to spread globally.”
Patient presented to a health clinic five days after the onset of monkeypox symptoms including malaise, myalgia, fever and face, hands and genitals Multiple swollen lesions. Positive monkeypox infection was confirmed with PCR swab samples from skin lesions. Three days later, the patient returned to the emergency room reporting chest tightness in the left arm.
The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit after initial routine examination for clinical suspicion of acute myocarditis. The initial ECG showed sinus rhythm with nonspecific ventricular repolarization abnormalities, and routine laboratory tests showed elevated levels of C-reactive protein, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), high-sensitivity troponin I, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), all of which were These can indicate stress damage to the heart. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies of the patients were consistent with the diagnosis of myocardial inflammation and acute myocarditis.
“This case highlights cardiac involvement as a potential complication associated with monkeypox infection,” University of São João, Portugal said Ana Isabel Pinho, MD, of the Hospital Center’s Department of Cardiology and lead author of the study. “We believe that reporting this potential causal relationship can improve the scientific community and health professionals’ understanding of acute myocarditis as a monkeypox-related complication; and may facilitate close monitoring of affected patients for further identification of other complications in the future Symptoms.”
The patient recovered fully and was discharged after one week. The authors say further research is needed to determine the link between monkeypox and heart damage.
Monkeypox is spread 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 individuals with known or presumed exposure to the virus.
Further information: Acute myocarditis – a new manifestation of monkeypox infection? , JACC: Case Report (2022).
Citation : Monkeypox May Cause Heart Problems (September 2, 2022) Retrieved September 13, 2022 from https://medicalxpress .com/news/2022-09-monkeypox-potential-heart-problems.html
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