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Updated: Oct 15, 2025
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Quantitative Visualization of Leukocyte Infiltrate in a Murine Model of Fulminant Myocarditis by Light Sheet Microscopy
Published on: May 31, 2017
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Fatal fulminant HSV-2 myocarditis: A complicated presentation
Daniele Colombo1, Marco Albore2, Franca Del Nonno1
1Department of Pathology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases INMI "Lazzaro Spallanzani", IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Summary
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) can rarely cause severe, fatal complications beyond genital lesions. This case highlights a unique presentation of fulminant myocarditis and liver failure due to HSV-2, diagnosed post-mortem.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pathology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common cause of genital lesions.
- Extragenital complications from HSV-2 are infrequent, especially in immunocompetent individuals.
Observation:
- This report details a rare fatal case of disseminated HSV-2 infection.
- The patient presented with fulminant myocarditis and terminal liver involvement.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of HSV-2 infection was only confirmed post-mortem.
- This case underscores the potential for severe, unexpected organ involvement by HSV-2.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering HSV-2 in unexplained fulminant myocarditis and liver failure.
- Suggests a need for increased awareness of rare but severe HSV-2 manifestations in clinical practice.
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