10 Parvovirus B19 and myocarditis in an infant

Acute myocarditis associated with parvovirus B19 infection in a child

“…It is different from that in other viral myocarditis and is characterized by infection of intracardiac endothelial cells of small arterioles and veinules, with endothelial dysfunction, impairment of myocardial microcirculation, penetration of inflammatory cells and eventually myocyte necrosis. 4 Recent data suggest that the cytokines interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 and 8, which are observed at high levels in PVB19-associated myocarditis in children in addition to microcirculatory dysfunction, contribute to myocardial damage and inflammation. 4 On the other hand, Murray et al 3 speculate that the systemic parvoviral infection resulted in an antigenic cross-reaction to epitopes present within the heart.…”

“…4 Recent data suggest that the cytokines interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 and 8, which are observed at high levels in PVB19-associated myocarditis in children in addition to microcirculatory dysfunction, contribute to myocardial damage and inflammation. 4 On the other hand, Murray et al 3 speculate that the systemic parvoviral infection resulted in an antigenic cross-reaction to epitopes present within the heart. By analogy to rheumatic fever, they propose that the myocarditis can be autoimmune in nature.…”