Journal List > Korean J Leg Med > v.39(3) > 1087972

Maeng, Kim, Lee, and Kim: A Case of Concurrent Acute Viral Myocarditis and Intussusceptions in a 3-Year-Old Child

Abstract

Chickenpox is an acute disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a herpesvirus that causes human infection worldwide. Primary VZV infection routinely occurs during childhood and is usually a self-limiting illness in immunocompetent children. However, chickenpox can be a severe disease in adolescents, adults, and immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients. Although vaccination substantially attenuates disease manifestations, significant complications such as secondary soft tissue infection, encephalitis, and pneumonia can occur. We present a rare autopsy case of concurrent acute myocarditis and intussusceptions in a 3-year-old female child who presented with chickenpox followed by abdominal pain and sudden death. The present case emphasizes the potential for fatal complications of viral infections, which should be considered in cases of sudden unexpected infectious death in children.

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Fig. 1.
Gross autopsy findings of the heart (A) with multiple areas of gray-whitish lesions on the cut surface after formalin fixation (B).
kjlm-39-73f1.tif
Fig. 2.
(A) Microscopic findings of inflammatory infiltration of the myocardium. The infiltrates are mostly lymphocytes (H&E, ×400). Immunohistochemical staining of inflammatory cells with CD3 (B) and CD20 (C) (×400).
kjlm-39-73f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Gross autopsy findings of three areas of intestinal intussusceptions in the small intestine without visible peritonitis (A), and one of the opened intussusceptions (lesions are indicated by arrows) (B).
kjlm-39-73f3.tif
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