Active bacterial myocarditis: a case report and review of the literature

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2007 Jul;26(7):745-9. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2007.04.010.

Abstract

Bacterial myocarditis (BM) is an uncommon cause of infectious myocarditis. BM is usually seen in the context of overwhelming sepsis or as part of a specific bacterial syndrome. The definitive diagnosis of bacterial myocarditis requires biopsy or morphologically proven active myocarditis with evidence of bacterial invasion or positive tissue cultures. The management of bacterial myocarditis consists of aggressive and early antibiotic or anti-toxin treatment, appropriate hemodynamic support, and treatment of arrhythmias or mechanical complications. We present a case of acute Listeria monocytogenes myocarditis in an immunocompetent patient and highlight the challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial myocarditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Heart / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Listeria monocytogenes / pathogenicity*
  • Listeriosis / complications*
  • Listeriosis / diagnosis
  • Listeriosis / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocarditis / diagnosis*
  • Myocarditis / microbiology*
  • Myocarditis / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Ventricular Dysfunction / pathology
  • Ventricular Remodeling

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents