Portuguese researchers have shown that monkeypox can theoretically cause serious damage to the heart. In particular, acute myocarditis was named as one of them.
Researchers from the University Hospital Center of São João refer to the case of a 31-year-old man who was confirmed to have monkeypox. A week after the onset of her characteristic signs, the patient was faced with acute myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle, usually caused by a viral infection. In most patients, the disease is mild and they recover without complications.
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The report says that the man went to the clinic 5 days after the onset of symptoms of monkeypox, which included muscle pain, fever, swelling in the arms, genitals and face. The PCR smear showed a positive test result. Three days later, the man returned to the emergency room, where he was admitted immediately to the intensive care unit with suspected myocarditis after he complained of chest tightness radiating to his left arm. An electrocardiogram and laboratory tests revealed signs of stress damage to the heart.
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The patient was discharged after a complete recovery in a week. This case highlights the possibility of heart damage that monkeypox can cause. The researchers believe that the scientific community and physicians should be aware that acute myocarditis can be a complication of smallpox, so such patients should also be monitored by cardiologists. (READ MORE)