Brucella myocarditis: a rare and life-threatening cardiac complication of brucellosis

Intern Med. 2012;51(8):901-4. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.6379. Epub 2012 Apr 15.

Abstract

This case report represents the difficulties in diagnosing brucellosis, which is an enigma with unusual cardiovascular complications. A 32-year-old Caucasian man with acute chest pain was examined at Sfax Hedi Chaker's Hospital. He had a night fever, although his cardiac examination was normal. Further laboratory analyses showed an elevated C-reactive protein of 20.8 mg/dL and troponine I of 1.469 IU/L. A cardiac MRI using delayed enhancement was then performed. The T2-weighted short-axis showed a subepicardial delaying enhancement of infero-lateral and the basal walls of the left ventricle. Accordingly, a diagnosis of Brucella-related myocarditis was made.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brucella* / isolation & purification
  • Brucellosis / complications*
  • Brucellosis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocarditis / diagnosis*
  • Myocarditis / etiology*