Proof of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in endomyocardial biopsy with latency after acute infection

Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Jan:102:70-72. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.10.012. Epub 2020 Oct 9.

Abstract

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has reached pandemic levels. Cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 have been reported frequently, however evidence for a causal relationship has not been established. This report describes the detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes in a patient with symptoms of heart failure, in whom endomyocardial biopsy was investigated following a latency period of 4 weeks after the onset of pulmonary symptoms. The viral infection was accompanied by myocardial inflammation indicating an infection of the heart muscle.

Keywords: COVID-19; Endomyocardial biopsy; SARS-CoV-2; Viral myocarditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing
  • Female
  • Heart / virology
  • Heart Failure / virology*
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocarditis / virology*
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Virus Latency