Infectious mononucleosis and fatal myocarditis

Chest. 1977 Oct;72(4):535-8. doi: 10.1378/chest.72.4.535.

Abstract

Mycocarditis is an uncommon manifestation and, very rarely, a lethal complication of infectious mononucleosis. A 14-year-old girl initially had exudative pharyngitis and splenomegaly and developed refractory ventricular fibrillation. The diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis was confirmed by both a strongly positive heterophil antibody test and a high titer of Epstein-Barr virus. Pathologic studies demonstrated extensive histiocytic and lypmhocytic infiltration of the myocardium.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Autopsy
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / analysis
  • Humans
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / complications*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / diagnosis
  • Myocarditis / etiology*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Pharyngitis / etiology
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Splenomegaly / etiology
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / etiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral