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Published on: February 20, 2020
Myopericarditis and leishmaniasis: a case report
Maria B Cantos1, Diego X Chango1,2, Juan Bravo2
1Department of Cardiology, Santa Ana Clinic, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador.
Insights
This case report details a patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis who developed myopericardial involvement. It highlights the importance of considering leishmaniasis in endemic areas for patients presenting with cardiac symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease with rare but severe cardiovascular complications.
- Pericardial effusion is a known complication, but myocardial involvement is poorly documented.
- This study focuses on a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis with suspected cardiac involvement.
Background:
Leishmaniasis belongs to a group of neglected tropical diseases worldwide, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular complications are rare; however, when they occur, they can be severe. Pericardial involvement with varying degrees of effusion is one of its main complications, whereas myocardial involvement remains poorly documented and not well established.
Case Summary:
In our case report, we present a young woman from the Amazon region, diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis and exertional dyspnoea. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed active pericarditis with significant pericardial effusion and myocardial involvement characterized by non-ischaemic late gadolinium enhancement. The patient remains under clinical surveillance, improving pericardial effusion with specific treatment.
Discussion:
Our case highlights a possible association between leishmaniasis and myopericardial involvement and underscores the importance of considering this diagnosis in patients from endemic regions, while acknowledging that a causal relationship cannot be established.
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