Is specific inflammation to the myocardium

The myocardium is the muscular part of the heart.

Typical cause agents include: fungal, bacterial, viral or parasitic in origin.

Toxins and drugs can be factors as well

Viral Causes
   •    Enterovirus
   •    Coxsackie Virus
   •    Rubella Virus
   •    Polio Virus
   •    Adenovirus
   •    Cytomegalovirus
   •    Possibly Hepatitis
   •    Herpes
   •    Others

Bacterial Causes
   •    Brucellosis
   •    Haemophilus influenzae
   •    Meningococcus
   •    Vibrio cholerae
   •    Staphylococcus
   •    Streptococcus
   •    Rickettsial
   •    Corynebacterium diphtheriae
   •    Tropheryma whipplei
   •    Vibrio cholerae  

Fungal Causes
   •    Actinomyces
   •    Aspergillus
   •    Candida

Parasite and Protozoal Causes
   •    Schistoma
   •    Trichinella
   •    Toxoplasmosis

ECG may show some abnormalities.

Biopsy of heart tissue is essential for diagnosis.   This is accomplished by angiography.

MRI may be helpful

Symptoms and Signs
   -    Fever
   -    Difficulty breathing
   -    Chest pain
   -    Chest discomfort
   -    Heart failure
   -    Sweating
   -    Fast heart beat

Treatment
•         Antibacterial treatment
•         Antimicrobial treatment
•         Heart failure treatment
•         ACE Inhibitors    (Captopril, Lisinopril)
•         Control underlying arrhythmia
•         Cardiac transplant may be necessary