Myocarditis in Dengue Outbreak in Sri Lanka
Author Information
Author(s): Weerakoon Kosala GAD, Kularatne Senanayake AM, Edussuriya Deepthika H, Kodikara Sarachchandra KA, Gunatilake Laxman PG, Pinto Vasanti G, Seneviratne Ashoka B, Gunasena Sunethra
Primary Institution: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Hypothesis
Can myocarditis occur as a complication of dengue infection?
Conclusion
The histology supports the occurrence of myocarditis in dengue infection.
Supporting Evidence
- Of the 319 cases of dengue fever, 166 (52%) had severe infection.
- 149 patients (90%) had secondary dengue infection.
- The main histological findings of the heart were interstitial oedema with inflammatory cell infiltration and necrosis of myocardial fibers.
Takeaway
Some people who got really sick from dengue fever had heart problems called myocarditis, which we found out by looking at their heart tissues after they died.
Methodology
The study involved autopsies and histopathological examination of heart tissues from 5 patients who died from severe dengue.
Limitations
The study was limited by the small sample size and lack of technology to detect viral RNA in tissues.
Participant Demographics
The participants were 3 females and 2 males aged 13 to 31 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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