From the Gut to the Heart: Campylobacter jejuni Enteritis Leading to Myopericarditis

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni enteritis is the most common enteric infection in the developed world. Although rare, pericarditis and myopericarditis have been increasingly documented as complications following campylobacteriosis. The present paper implicates that myopericarditis and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy following Campylobacter jejuni infection might be more prevalent than initially thought and perhaps underreported so far. Therefore, it is imperative to perform the appropriate initial diagnostic testing, including stool cultures, in order to make an accurate diagnosis early in the course of the disease. Identifying the etiology of myopericarditis as bacterial will ensure appropriate treatment with antibiotics in addition to the cardiac medications needed for supportive care.

Keywords: campylobacter jejuni; cardiomyopathy; enteritis; myocarditis; myopericarditis.

Figure 1. Electrocardiogram

The initial electrocardiogram showing right axis deviation with J-point early depolarization mimicking ST-segment elevation.

Figure 2. Cardiac MRI

Direct axial image of cardiac MRI showing sub-epicardial enhancement in basal to apical anterolateral, inferiolateral and anteroseptal wall. MRI - magnetic resonance imaging.