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Cholera and myocarditis--a case report
1Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Medico la Raza, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, D.F.
Angiology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
This case study details a rare instance of cholera-induced myocarditis in a patient experiencing severe enterocolitis. The patient developed significant cardiac conduction disturbances, requiring pacemaker insertion and highlighting a critical, often overlooked, complication of enteric infections.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Enterocolitis can lead to severe systemic complications.
- Cardiac involvement following enteric infections is rare but serious.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old man developed acute enterocolitis with severe diarrhea, vomiting, and hypovolemia.
- Following recovery from initial symptoms, he experienced significant cardiac conduction abnormalities, including trifascicular block and bradycardia.
Findings:
- Endomyocardial biopsy confirmed myocarditis with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for antitoxin cholera antibodies (AcTCA).
- The patient required temporary and later permanent pacemaker insertion due to persistent conduction disturbances.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for cholera to cause severe myocarditis and cardiac conduction abnormalities.
- Early recognition and management of cardiac complications are crucial in patients with severe enteric diseases.