A Case of Acute Fulminant Myocarditis in Scrub Typhus

Keimyung Medical Journal 2011;30(1):141-145.

쯔쯔가무시병에 동반된 전격성 심근염 1례

김정민; 최은성; 김현아; 류성열

Abstract

Scrub typhus; which is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi; is an acute febrile illness characterized by fever; rash; and lymphadenopathy. Severe complications are very rare. Recently; cases of scrub typhus with severe complications; such as acute respiratory distress syndrome; septic shock; acute renal failure; myocarditis and meningitis have been increasingly reported. An adult patient with scrub typhus presented with normal EKG on admission and no hypotensive period; subsequently developed chest pain on 6th hospital day. ST elevation of EKG and diffuse ventricular dyskinesia of echocardiography appeared on 6th hospital day. We report a case of acute fulminant myocarditis in adult with scrub typhus. This complication led to severe cardiogenic shock and death. We believe this is the first report of fulminant myocarditis complicating scrub typhus in Korea.

Key Words: Myocarditis, Scrub typhus