Fatal Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Previously Healthy Boy with Myocarditis and Consumption Coagulopathy as Presenting Signs

Abstract

A fatal case of acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a previously healthy 14-year-old boy is described. Main clinical manifestations were carditis, hepatitis and consumption coagulopathy. Cardiac insufficiency developed and worsened in spite of digitalis treatment A consumption coagulopathy was controlled with heparin treatment. The patient died with signs of cardiogenic shock. At necropsy focal lymphocytic infiltrations were observed in heart and liver and CMV was isolated from lung tissue. A seroconversion in complement-fixing and platelet aggregation antibody titers confirmed the primary character of the infection. A possible role of immune complexes in the clinical manifestations is discussed.