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Insights Into the Emerging Role of Myocarditis in Dengue Fever

  • Emerging Tropical Diseases (K Barr, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Dengue is an important public health problem in many parts of the world. This article consolidates the current knowledge about dengue myocarditis.

Recent Findings

Cardiac involvement in dengue is a common phenomenon. Myocarditis is the predominant manifestation. It can be subclinical with no impact on the outcome, or it can cause potentially fatal arrhythmias or cardiogenic shock and even lead to cardiomyopathy. Myocardial inflammation is elicited by direct viral invasion and production of inflammatory cytokines and free oxygen radicals. The manifestations can overlap with dengue shock syndrome resulting from capillary leakage. The diagnostic criterion is not well-defined and relies on evaluation of cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in the presence or absence of symptoms. There is an emerging role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and strain echocardiography. Treatment involves use of supportive therapies, and there is no evidence for use of antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants.

Summary

Physicians need to be wary of myocarditis in dengue. More research is needed for developing specific treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Level 4 D Block, Sector 32, Chandigarh, 160030, India

    Samiksha Gupta, Monica Gupta, Saurabh Gaba & Gautam Jesrani

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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Samiksha Gupta, Monica Gupta, Saurabh Gaba, and Gautam Jesrani. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Samiksha Gupta and Saurabh Gaba, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. The idea for the article was conceived by Monica Gupta. Saurabh Gaba and Gautam Jesrani performed the literature search and data analysis, and Samiksha Gupta, Saurabh Gaba, and Monica Gupta drafted and critically revised the work. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

As required all authors whose names appear on the submission have (1) made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; or the creation of new software used in the work; (2) drafted the work or revised it critically for important intellectual content; (3) approved the version to be published; and (4) agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Monica Gupta.

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Gupta, S., Gupta, M., Gaba, S. et al. Insights Into the Emerging Role of Myocarditis in Dengue Fever. Curr Trop Med Rep 8, 239–245 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-021-00249-y

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