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CASE REPORT

ABSTRACT
Parvo B 19 virus can cause different diseases in human. It can cause myocarditis which if not treated in time can 
prove fatal. Here we are presenting a case of 43 years old immune‐competent male who was found to be 
infected with Parvo B 19 virus, which was diagnosed by positive serology and PCR technique. He was 
successfully treated and ison regular follow up. Every clinician should consider the possibility of PVB 19 in any 
patient presenting with acute myocarditis.

Key Words: Myocarditis, Parvo B 19 Virus.

complete picture showed lymphocytosis. Blood 
Culture and Sensitivity, CRP, Sputum AFB, Urine R/E 
and C/S, USG Abdomen, Trop T, CK MB, AST, LDH, RFT, 
LFT, Serology for EBV, CMV, adenovirus and 
enterovirus and angiography were all normal. 2 D 
Echo showed EF 20 %with dilated LA, LV and severeLV 
systolic dysfunction, global hyperkinesia with no 
effusion. Parvo B 19 virus IgM was positive and was 
further confirmed by PCR. Cardiac MRI showed 
increased signal intensity at septal wall on T2 
weighted image. Myocardial perfusion SPECT with 
T1‐201 after physiological stress and at rest revealed 
fixed perfusion defect (partial thickness MI/scarred 
myocardium of inferior wall) and multiple areas of 
moderate to severe fixed defects scattered all over 
left ventricular myocardium plus severe global 
hyperkinesia with 20 % EF and poor LV function.
He was admitted in intensive care unit and was 
treated with IV diuretics and inotropic support. He 
remained admitted in hospital and became stable in 
one week.His EF improved to 55% after one week of 
treatment. He was discharged after ten days of 
hospitalization and PVB 19 IgM was repeated at the 
time of discharge, which was negative with negative 
PCR.
At the time of discharge he was advised 
ACEinhibitors, digoxin, beta blockers, and low dose 
aspirin. He was properly counseled regarding his 
illness and follow up.

Discussion
Acute myocarditis is aninflammatory condition of 

1
myocardium due to various pathogens.  Patient can 
present with different clinical features which may be 
fulminant or non‐fulminant. Different infections, 
drugs, toxins and systemic diseases have been found 

2
to cause myocarditis.  Parvo B19 virus, humanherpes 

Introduction
Parvo B 19 is the only member of family 
parvoviridae,discovered in 1974 and is pathogenic in 

1‐3
humans.  It can cause fatal myocarditis leading to 

4‐6
heart failure if not treated in time.  We are 
presenting a case of parvo B 19 myocarditis who 
presented with acute myocarditis and was 
successfully treated with antiviral therapy 
andinotropic support.

Case Report
A 43 years old serving soldier presented with one 
week history of flu like illness, dry cough, low grade 
intermittent fever with myalgia. He took treatment 
from some local general practitioner buthis 
symptoms did not resolve. After about 3 days, he also 
developed signs of acute heart failure which were 
progressive and found to be NHYA Class IV 
accompanied by orthopnea and frothy sputum. 
His past, personal, social, drug and family history 
were insignificant. Physical examination revealed 
pulse of 90/minute which was irregularly irregular, 
low volume. BP was 90/75 mmHg with no postural 
hypotension, temperature 990 F and respiratory rate 
of 20/minute. Chest auscultation revealedbilateral 
few basal creptitations. ECG showed AF, LAD,LBBB, T 
wave inversion in I, II,III,avl,avfand V3 to V6.Blood 

Parvo B 19 Myocarditis in Immunocompetent Patient
1 2 3 4 5

Asif Nadeem , Abidullah Khan , Muhammad Farooq , Mumtaz Malik , Zulifiqar Congo

Parvo B 19 MyocarditisJIIMC 2015 Vol. 10, No.4  

Correspondence:
Maj. Dr. Abidullah Khan
63 Medical Battalion, Multan Cantt
E‐mail: drabid2424@yahoo.com

1,5
Department of Medicine

CMH, Multan
2,4

Department of Medicine
63 Medical Battalion
Multan Cantt
3
Department of Medicine

Islamic International Medical College
Riphah International University, Islamabad

Received: February 11, 2015; Accepted: November 15, 2015

280



virus 6 and enterovirus are some of the most 
common viral causes of acute myocarditis. PVB19 
can cause fatal myocarditis because it affects 

3
myocardial endothelial cells.  Clinical features can 
vary from simple flu like illness to  heart failure, 

4
arrhythmias or pseudo myocardial infarction.  
Myocarditis is found in 42% of cases with 
unexplained deaths in individuals under 35 years of 
age. Exact incidence and prevalence of fulminant 
myocarditis is not known but it is seen in 10 % of 

1,5‐8
biopsy proven myocarditis.
An accurate and rapid diagnostic approach is very 
crucial in the management of viral myocarditis. 
Serology, Cardiac MRI, Angiography and Cardiac 
biopsy are some of the crucial diagnostic 

6
investigations.  Additional viral PCR (quantitative) 
and for viral genome and immunohistochemistry for 
cardiac inflammation and necrosis also help in 

6‐8
diagnosis.  This will help in accurate diagnosis and 
targeted treatment. When diagnosis is confirmed, 
treatment of underlying cause is the main life saving 
step. In addition to specific treatment of the 
underlying cause, intense hemodynamic support 
likeinotropic support, intra‐aortic balloon pumps 
and ventricular assistance devices can also be used 
to save life of the patient depending upon the clinical 
condition of the patient. Heart transplantation is the 
last option in developed countries where facilities 

7,8
are available.
Seven percent of the patients presenting with 

2,5‐7
fulminant myocarditis will have fatal outcome.  
Mortality rates are different due to various patient 

5,7‐8
risk factors. After acute phase of treatment, 
patient should be managed with standard heart 
failure medications with beta blockers,  Angiotensin‐
converting enzyme inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor 
blockers (ARBs), Calcium channel blockers (CCB), and 
Digoxin. Regular follow up is very necessary as 

5‐7
recurrence has been reported.

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