Proof of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in endomyocardial biopsy with latency after acute infection. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pietsch, Heiko; Escher, Felicitas; Aleshcheva, Ganna; Baumeier, Christian; Morawietz, Lars; Elsaesser, Albrecht; Schultheiss, Heinz-Peter
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 102(2021)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- Viral myocarditis -- Endomyocardial biopsy; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.10.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA positivity in the heart was found to be present after a latency period of 4 weeks after the onset of pulmonary symptoms in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient. Intramyocardial inflammation was a complication in a patient affected by COVID-19. The histopathological and clinical improvement of the patient were in accordance with viral clearance on follow-up biopsy investigation. 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.