Successful diagnosis and management of cytomegalovirus carditis.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated carditis in the immunosuppressed patient carries a 60% mortality. Underlying pathogenesis is poorly understood but may involve either direct viral invasion or autoimmune cardiac damage triggered in response to the infection. Specific anti-cytomegalovirus therapy and/or anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to benefit in cases where an early diagnosis was established. We report an unusual case of endo-pericarditis which was temporally related to acute cytomegalovirus infection diagnosed by the immediate early antigen detection in cell culture on whole blood.
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Regional Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, North Manchester General Hospital, U.K.
Morris
D J
DJ
Wilkins
E G
EG
D000328:Adult; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy