Influenza A virus infection complicated by fatal myocarditis

Influenza virus typically causes a febrile respiratory illness, but it can present with a variety of other clinical manifestations. We report a fatal case of myocarditis associated with influenza A infection. A previously healthy 11-year-old girl had malaise and fever for approximately 1 week before a sudden, witnessed fatal collapse at home. Autopsy revealed a pericardial effusion, a mixed lymphocytic and neutrophilic myocarditis, a mild lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, focal bronchial/bronchiolar mucosal necrosis, and histologic changes consistent with asthma. Infection with influenza A (H3N2) was confirmed by virus isolation from a postmortem nasopharyngeal swab. Attempts to isolate virus from heart and lung tissue were unsuccessful. Immunohistochemical tests directed against influenza A antigens and in situ hybridization for influenza A genetic material demonstrated positive staining in bronchial epithelial cells, whereas heart sections were negative. Sudden death is a rare complication of influenza and may be caused by myocarditis. Forensic pathologists should be aware that postmortem nasopharyngeal swabs for viral culture and immunohistochemical or in situ hybridization procedures on lung tissue might be necessary to achieve a diagnosis. Because neither culturable virus nor influenza viral antigen could be identified in heart tissue, the pathogenesis of influenza myocarditis in this case is unlikely to be the result of direct infection of myocardium by the virus. The risk factors for developing myocarditis during an influenza infection are unknown.     

病毒性心肌炎和扩张性心肌病中Dystrophin蛋白的表达

目的探讨病毒性心肌炎和扩张性心肌病的发病机制及相互关系,从而提高心性猝死法医学鉴定的可靠性和准确性。方法对17例对照(包括正常心脏、冠心病、高血压性心脏病等),25例病毒性心肌炎和28例扩张性心肌病的心肌组织进行改良的病理学dystrophin免疫组织化学研究。结果dystrophin蛋白在对照组,病毒性心肌炎组和扩张性心肌病组中阳性表达率分别为100%,88%,57%,三组表达差异有显著性(P<0.05),且在病毒性心肌炎和扩张性心肌病组间表达有显著差异(P<0.05),经Spearman等级相关分析呈显著负相关(r=-0.526)。结论病毒性心肌炎和扩张性心肌病心肌中细胞骨架蛋白均有破坏,且随着由病毒性心肌炎进展为扩张性心肌病,dystrophin蛋白表达逐渐降低,说明在病毒性心肌炎和扩张性心肌病的发病机制中可能与dystrophin的被破坏有关,病毒感染并破坏心肌细胞骨架蛋白并最终导致心肌细胞坏死,心功能受损,从而使病毒性心肌炎进展为扩张性心肌病。     

Pulmonary thromboembolism after air travel: Two case reports, the review of literature and forensic implications

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are the main class of doping agents and their consumption produces adverse effects involving several organs and systems. Three cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and one of death due to congestive heart failure of previously healthy athletes who were AAS users are herein reported. Concentric cardiac hypertrophy with focal fibrosis (one case), dilated cardiomyopathy with patchy myocyte death (two cases) and eosinophilic myocarditis (one case) were observed and most probably relate to the final event. Molecular investigation for viral genomes was positive in one case (Ebstein virus). Our data confirm previous findings, showing that the most typical cardiac abnormality in AAS abusers is left ventricular hypertrophy, associated with fibrosis and myocytolysis. An exceptional cardiovascular substrate was represented by the case with drug induced eosinophilic myocarditis. These features are at risk of ventricular arrhythmias as well as congestive heart failure. The cause-effect relationship between AAS abuse and cardiac death can be established only by a rigorous methodology with the use of standardized protocols, including precise morphological studies of all target organs to search for chronic toxic effects. Laboratory investigations should focus on AAS searching on a wide range of biological matrices to demonstrate type, magnitude and time of exposure.     

实验性轻度病毒性心肌炎的组织病理学观察

为探索轻度病毒性心肌炎的法医病理学诊断方法,以适量 Coxsackie B3病毒感染 Balb/c小鼠造成小鼠轻度病毒性心肌炎,对病鼠的心、肝、脾、肺、肾进行常规病理学检查。结果发现,心肌炎小鼠的各器官出现不同程度的病理改变。实验提示,病毒性心肌炎是一类多器官病变的疾病;对多器官进行病理学观察和综合分析是轻度病毒性心肌炎的组织病理学诊断的有效方法之一。     

Fn免疫组化染色在人病毒性心肌炎死后诊断中的应用

目的研究纤维连接蛋白(Fn)免疫组化染色对轻度病毒性心肌炎的病理学诊断价值。方法运用兔抗人Fn多克隆抗体对人类心肌炎心肌标本进行Fn-LSAB免疫组化研究。结果发现心肌炎心肌组织内Fn大量沉积,部分心肌细胞内Fn阳性。结论Fn-LSAB染色可显示轻度病毒性心肌炎的心肌损害,Fn沉积是心肌组织存在炎症性病理变化的可靠标志之一。     

心肌炎猝死案例的法医病理学研究

从法医尸检案例中取心肌炎猝死17例进行分析及病理学观察，对心肌炎的分关、心肌炎导致猝死机制进行探讨，认为诱发急性心力衰竭是心肌炎猝死的主要原因。     

柯萨奇病毒和腺病毒受体在VMC和DCM猝死者心肌组织中的表达

目的探讨病毒性心肌炎(VMC)和扩张性心肌病(DCM)的发病机制及相互关系。方法应用改良免疫组化技术检测病毒性心肌炎(28例)、扩张性心肌病(31例)和对照组19例。结果CAR阳性表达为棕色,主要表达于心肌细胞膜。在VMC心肌中均检测到较高水平的CAR表达(免疫组化面积积分为4.3975±0.0365);DCM组26例心肌组织中有较高水平的CAR表达(4.2064±0.0526),有5例几乎无表达(0.0723±0.0014),对照组心肌中几乎未检测到CAR的表达(0.0731±0.0362),VMC组及DCM组与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论VMC和DCM心肌组织中CAR表达明显高于对照组,提示VMC和DCM的发病都有病毒感染的参与,两者可能来自同一个病因。     

Cardiac pathological study of sudden death due to myocarditis: analysis of 17 cases

17 cases of sudden death due to myocarditis were presented. The problem of the classification and mechanism of sudden death is discussed. It is concluded that heart function failure is the main reason for the sudden death of myocarditis.     

A preliminary immunohistochemical study of fibronectin in viral myocarditis

For postmortem diagnosis of viral myocarditis, 12 specimens of heart in autopsy were studied immunohistochemically with anti-fibronectin(FN) antibody. Among 5 cases with definite or suspected myocarditis, intensive FN-positive could be found in all monocytes, macrophages and some neutrophils and there were 3 cases with FN-positive cardiomyocytes. While in 3 violent death cases with leucocytes infiltration in the interstitial tissue of myocardia, no FN-positive cardiomocytes were observed, which was the same as that of 4 case without cardiac pathological changes. Moreover, there were rarely FN-positive leucocytes in the 7 cases without viral myocarditis. The results suggest that the immunohistochemical observation of FN in myocardia might be of value for detecting slight degeneration of cardiomyocytes and determining the inflammatory leucocyte infiltration in myocarditis.     

实验性病毒性心肌炎纤维连接蛋白的免疫组化研究

探索轻度病毒性心肌炎的法医病理学诊断方法。以适量coxsackieB3病毒感染Balb/c小鼠 ,造成小鼠轻度病毒性心肌炎 ,对病鼠的心肌进行纤维连接蛋白的LSAB免疫组化染色。结果发现 ,心肌炎鼠心肌组织内Fn大量沉积 ,部分心肌细胞内Fn阳性。Fn -LSAB染色可显示病毒性心肌炎轻度的心肌损害 ,Fn沉积是心肌组织存在炎症性病理变化的可靠标志之一。     

178例心源性猝死法医组织病理学诊断分析

目的探讨心源性猝死(SCD)的病理特点与鉴别要点。方法对四川华西法医学鉴定中心2000—2005年尸检出的178例SCD死亡案例进行回顾性分析,主要对其病因、年龄、诱因及病理改变进行分析。结果本组资料显示冠心病、心传导系统病变、心肌炎、心肌病等在SCD中占有较大比例。冠心病猝死是中老年人SCD的最主要原因,青壮年人SCD的病因以非冠心病为主。如传导系统病变、心肌炎、心肌病。在儿童的SCD中先天性心脏病、传导系统病变及心肌炎占主导地位。结论不同的病因,其病理特点不同,其病理变化是法医学鉴定的主要依据。     

病毒性心肌炎肌动蛋白的免疫组化观察

对１０例尸检心脏标本进行了肌动蛋白（Ａｃｔｉｎ,Ａｔ）的免疫组化观察。依据Ｄａｌｓ标准的明确或界限性病毒性心肌炎５例,心肌组织内Ａｔ含量减损,呈局灶性或弥漫性淡染,偶见小灶性单个心肌细胞内Ａｔ缺失。心肌梗死２例,心肌组织内Ａｔ大片缺失;非心性死亡对照组３例,心肌组织内Ａｔ呈均匀一致的强阳性染色。结果表明,心肌组织内Ａｔ的免疫组化观察可望提高对不典型病毒性心肌炎诊断的敏感性,同时对区分轻度缺血性与炎症性心肌细胞损伤有参考价值     

Expression of TGF-beta 1 and proliferation of collagen in myocardium in viral myocarditis

To investigate the tissue repair of acute viral myocarditis, and to explore the diagnostic method of slight viral myocarditis in forensic pathology. Slight viral myocarditis model was induced in Balb/c murine by CVB3. Collagen proliferation in myocardium of mice with myocarditis was observed by special staining. The hearts of mice and human(9 cases) with myocarditis were studied LSAB-immunohistochemically with anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody. In the study, the proliferation of collagen was seen in myocardium in acute viral myocarditis. Generous expression of TGF-beta 1 was found in the myocardium of mice and human with myocarditis. The quantity of collagen proliferation and expression of TGF-beta 1 was positive correlation. It is concluded that the tissue repair exists in acute viral myocarditis and that positive staining of myocardium for TGF-beta 1 is a sensitive index of myocardial damage and tissue repair.     

Fatal Myocarditis Following Treatment with the PD‐1 Inhibitor Nivolumab

Therapeutic antibodies targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) pathway function as immune checkpoint inhibitors, allowing the immune system to recognize tumors which otherwise escape immune surveillance. However, these agents can also elicit an autoimmune response by inhibiting the ability of non‐neoplastic tissues and regulatory cells to suppress the immune system. Here we present a fatal case of active myocarditis in a 55‐year‐old man with non‐small‐cell lung cancer which occurred following monotherapy with the PD‐1 inhibitor nivolumab (Opdivo). He presented with acute right‐sided heart failure and died 1 day after admission. Postmortem examination revealed multiple gelatinous lesions in the myocardium of the interventricular septum and the bilateral atria and ventricles which had microscopic features diagnostic of myocarditis. Subsequent studies failed to identify an infectious cause. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are an increasingly common addition to anticancer regimens and they should be considered in the evaluation of acute myocarditis.     

97例心性猝死的法医病理学分析

目的探讨心性猝死（SCD）的特点、病理基础及致死因素和诱因等。方法对本系2002年12月至2006年12月期间，所作450例法医病理检案的97例心性猝死案例进行分析研究。结果97例SCD患者中，冠心痛猝死38例，心肌炎23例，心肌痛16例，高血压性心脏病12例，主动脉瘤破裂4例，肺栓塞4例。结论SCD病程短骤、凶险，以老年男性多见，冠心病占首位。由于猝死的因素繁多，因此对猝死事件的法医学鉴定要根据其发生特征和变化规律，作出客观、全面、准确的签定结论。     

Sudden cardiac death due to giant cell inflammatory processes

Granulomatous inflammation of the myocardium may occur in a number of systemic disease processes including those with infectious etiologies such as fungal, mycobacterial and parasitic infections, as well as hypersensitivity reactions, and rarely autoimmune disorders. In many of these disorders, giant cells are components of the inflammatory infiltrate. Systemic granulomatous processes of unknown pathogenesis, most notably sarcoidosis, may also be associated with involvement of the myocardium. Occasionally, these disorders are associated with sudden death due to pathologic involvement of the heart. In contrast, giant cell myocarditis, also known as idiopathic myocarditis, a rare, frequently fulminant and fatal disorder of unknown etiology, is isolated to the heart and lacks systemic involvement. This disorder is most commonly diagnosed at autopsy. We present two cases in which sudden death resulted from a giant cell inflammatory process affecting the myocardium. Both individuals lacked antemortem diagnoses and collapsed at their respective places of employment. These cases compare and contrast the clinical and pathologic issues involved in the differential diagnoses of the subgroup of sudden cardiac deaths resulting from giant cell inflammatory processes that affect the myocardium, as well as the value of histologic examination and immunohistochemical studies.     

病毒性心肌炎心肌碱性成纤维生长因子的实验研究

用 8只小鼠接种柯萨奇 B3病毒（ Coxsackie B3 viral CVB3）,形成病毒性心肌炎动物模型。用免疫组织化学方法对心肌碱性成纤维生长因子（ basic Fibroblast Growth Factor:bFGF）的变化进行了研究。目的是观察 CVB3对心肌的损害。结果发现小鼠感染病毒第 3天病变心肌中即有 bFGF阳性表达,并且随病程的延长其阳性程度随之增加。常规 HE染色通常在感染病毒 5天后才出现明显的镜下改变。本研究提示 bFGF可以为病毒性心肌炎早期轻微病变的判定提供帮助。     

118例心源性猝死分析

心源性猝死(sudden cardiac death,SCD)在成人猝死的死因中占首位,本文对1998-2005年陕西地区发生的118例SCD案例进行统计分析,结果显示男性是女性的5.9倍,其中冠心病占55.1%,心肌炎占17.8%,心肌病占9.3%,先天性心脏病、瓣膜病、主动脉夹层瘤破裂各占2.5%,其他疾病占4.5%。说明SCD多发于男性,冠心病仍是SCD的主要基础疾病,心肌炎是青少年SCD的主要原因,心肌病是青壮年SCD的危险因素,无结构异常的心脏病也同样严重威胁生命健康。