A 31-year-old male with confirmed monkeypox infection developed acute myocarditis approximately one week following the onset of monkeypox symptoms, according to a case study published today in JACC: Case Reports.
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox, that causes a pimple or blister-like rash on the hands, feet, face, genitals and other parts of the body. Monkeypox was first reported in the EU in May 2022, as well as the United States and other non-endemic countries, and cases are increasing. Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, is typically caused by a viral infection. Myocarditis was previously associated with smallpox infection, a more aggressive virus, and the case study authors said that “by extrapolation, the monkeypox virus could 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, MD, Ph.D., editor-in-chief of JACC: Case Reports. “The authors of this study have used CMR mapping, a comprehensive imaging tool, to help with the diagnosis of myocarditis. I commend the authors on this valuable clinical case during a critical time as monkeypox continues to spread globally.”
The patient presented to a health clinic five days following the onset of monkeypox symptoms, including malaise, myalgia, fever and multiple swollen lesions on the face, hands and genitalia. Positive monkeypox infection was confirmed with a PCR swab sample of a skin lesion. The patient