A probable primary HIV infection associated with acute non-specific myocarditis causing severe dilated cardiomyopathy

A patient with a probable primary HIV infection and a biopsy proven non-specific myocarditis is reported. The patient developed a severe dilated cardiomyopathy and initially presented with global heartfailure and fever. The left ventricular function partially recovered. One week after discharge the patient was readmitted in a septic shock and died. Current hypotheses concerning the etiology of left ventricular dysfunction in HIV infection are discussed.