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Coxsackie myocarditis complicating treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine
|August 1, 1978
Insights
A fatal case of Coxsackie B4 myocarditis in an adult undergoing Hodgkin
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment can impact immune function.
- Coxsackie B4 virus can cause myocarditis.
- Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.
Abstract:
A fatal case of Coxsackie B4 myocarditis complicating treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma in an adult is reported. The virus was isolated from the myocardium obtained at autopsy and light microscopy confirmed a myocarditis with involvement of the conduction system. Electron-microscopy showed dense mitochondrial inclusions. Coxsackie myocarditis rarely results in death of affected adults. It is postulated in this case that the treatment of the Hodgkin's lymphoma resulted in B lymphocyte depletion, allowing a more virulent infection to occur with resultant fatal myocarditis.