Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice
10:47

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

Published on: April 14, 2011

Fatal group A streptococcal myopericarditis during influenza A infection

Barbara Harre1, Marcus Nashelsky, M Douvoyiannis

  • 1Scott County Medical Examiners Office, Davenport, IA, USA.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|June 29, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Influenza A can be fatal in children. A rare group A Streptococcus infection led to fatal bacterial myopericarditis, an unsuspected cause of death in a child with influenza A.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Influenza A virus infections pose significant risks to young children, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes.
  • The precise cause of death in pediatric influenza cases can be challenging to determine.
  • Secondary bacterial infections are a known complication of viral respiratory illnesses.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old child presented with acute influenza A infection.
  • The child experienced a sudden and fatal deterioration.
  • An autopsy was performed to investigate the cause of death.

Findings:

  • The autopsy revealed a fatal secondary infection caused by group A Streptococcus.
  • The specific diagnosis was bacterial myopericarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding sac.
  • This bacterial infection was previously unsuspected in the context of the influenza A illness.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for severe, life-threatening secondary bacterial infections following influenza A in children.
  • Underscores the importance of considering and diagnosing bacterial complications, such as myopericarditis, in pediatric influenza cases.
  • Suggests that bacterial myopericarditis may be an underrecognized cause of mortality in children with influenza.

More Related Videos

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...