New Delhi: Almost a week after the onset of monkeypox symptoms, for the first time, a 31-year-old male confirmed to have contracted monkeypox developed acute myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), researchers have revealed. According to a case study published in the journal JACC: Case Reports, the patient visited a health clinic five days after the onset of monkeypox symptoms, including malaise, myalgia, fever, and multiple inflammatory lesions on the face, hands, and genitals . Positive monkeypox infection was confirmed with a PCR swab sample of a skin lesion. The patient returned to the emergency department three days later and reported chest tightness, radiating from the left arm. Myocarditis was previously associated with infection with smallpox, a more aggressive virus, and the case study authors noted that “by extrapolation, monkeypox virus may have tropism for myocardium tissue or cause immune-mediated injury to the heart”.
“Through this important case study, we are developing a deeper understanding of monkeypox, viral myocarditis, and how to accurately diagnose and manage this disease,” said Julia Grapsa, editor-in-chief of JACC: Case Reports. Grapsa said, “The authors of this study have used CMR mapping, a comprehensive imaging tool, to help diagnose myocarditis. I commend the authors on this valuable clinical matter during a critical time as monkeypox.” spreading globally.”
The results of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies performed on the patient were consistent with the diagnosis of myocardial inflammation and acute myocarditis. “This case highlights cardiac involvement as a potential complication associated with monkeypox infection,” said Ana Isabel Pinho, from the Department of Cardiology at the So Joo University Hospital Center in Portugal. “We believe that reporting this possible causal relationship can lead to greater awareness for the scientific community and health professionals about acute myocarditis as a potential complication associated with monkeypox,” Pinho said.
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The patient was discharged after a week of complete recovery. The authors said further research is needed to identify the relationship between monkeypox and heart injury. Monkeypox is spread through close contact with sores, bodily fluids or respiratory droplets. In addition to the rash, symptoms may include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory symptoms, and muscle aches. Most infections are mild, and symptoms can last between two and four weeks. More than 50,000 cases of monkeypox have been recorded in the global outbreak. The World Health Organization lists 50,496 cases and 16 deaths reported this year.
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