Acute myopathy in three brothers

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• Acute myopathy can present with diverse etiologies.
• Viral infections are known triggers for neuromuscular disorders.

Observation:

• Three brothers presented with simultaneous acute myopathy.
• Muscle biopsy demonstrated vacuolar degeneration, excluding inflammatory myositis.
• An echo virus was isolated from two affected siblings.

Findings:

• The rapid resolution of myopathy suggests a transient process.
• The presence of echo virus supports a viral etiology.
• A fourth sibling experienced a febrile illness with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, consistent with a systemic viral infection.

Implications:

• This case highlights echo virus as a potential cause of acute myopathy.
• Further research into viral-induced myopathies is warranted.
• Understanding the pathogenesis may aid in diagnosing and managing similar cases.