Related Experiment Videos
Asymptomatic eosinophilic myocarditis: 2 + 2 = 4 or 5!
S Seshadri1, J Narula, P Chopra
1Department of Cardiology and Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
International Journal of Cardiology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
A man with stroke and high eosinophil levels had a heart condition caused by a parasitic worm infection. Doctors found inflammation in his heart muscle, suggesting a link between the infection and this cardiac issue.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) can have diverse etiologies.
- Hypereosinophilia, an elevated eosinophil count, can be associated with various conditions, including parasitic infections.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old male presented with a CVA.
- The patient exhibited significant hypereosinophilia.
- Diagnostic workup revealed a microfilarial infection as the likely cause.
Findings:
- Endomyocardial biopsy confirmed focal eosinophilic myocarditis.
- The myocarditis was asymptomatic, presenting incidentally in the context of the CVA and hypereosinophilia.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential cardiac manifestations of microfilarial infections.
- Asymptomatic eosinophilic myocarditis can occur secondary to parasitic infections.
- Further investigation into the relationship between parasitic infections and cardiac inflammation is warranted.