Myocarditis related to Campylobacter jejuniinfection: A case report

Abstract

Background: Myocarditis can develop as a complication of various infections and is most commonly linked to enterovirus infections. Myocarditis is rarely associated with bacterial infections; salmonellosis and shigellosis have been the most frequently reported bacterial cause. We report a case of myocarditis related to Campylobacter jejuni enteritis.

Global Epidemiology of Campylobacter Infection

“…A number of C. jejuni-associated myo(peri)carditis cases have been published since 1980 (213)(214)(215)(216)(217)(218)(219)(220)(221)(222)(223)(224)(225)(226)(227)(228)(229)(230). These reports collectively indicate that patients usually present with symptoms such as thoracic pain, with concomitant electrocardiogram changes as well as increased levels of cardiac enzymes, 3 to 5 days after the onset of gastroenteritis.…”

Campylobacter jejuni infection associated with myopericarditis in adolescents: report of two cases

“…Other extragastrointestinal manifestations include meningitis [6] and endocarditis [8]. Recently, a few case reports of myocarditis as a complication of C. jejuni infection were presented in adults [1,4,11].…”

Acute cardiac disease in a young patient with Campylobacter jejuni infection: a case report

“…In the past most patients received fl uoroquinolones as fi rst line Campylobacter-specifi c treatment [5,6,9]. In the present case the use of ciprofl oxacin as Campylobacterspecifi c treatment seemed to have a positive eff ect on the course of disease, because thoracic pain resolved immediately after the onset of antimicrobial therapy.…”

“…However, the nature of myocardial involvement remains speculative, as no detailed pathological studies of Campylobacter-related myocarditis are available in the literature. An immediate infl uence on myocytes through either direct damage to cells by bacteria or circulating toxins is assumed [5].…”

“…Salmonellosis and shigellosis have been described as the leading pathogens of gastroenteritis-related bacterial myocarditis compared to only rare reports of myocarditis associated with Campylobacter jejuni infection. In Table 1 diagnostic procedures, antibiotic treatment and outcome of previously published cases on Campylobacter-associated myocarditis are summarized [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”