Myocarditis - Cytomegalovirus

This case of lymphocytic myocarditis was due to CMV infection in a child with AIDS. The arrow points to an eosinophilic inclusion in the nucleus of a myocyte.  Smaller basophilic inclusions are present in the cytoplasm.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of a subgroup within the herpes family of viruses. Most persons are exposed to CMV in their lifetime. The infection causes no serious problems in the immunocompetent patient. Immunocompromise, however leads to a different story. Whether due to HIV infection, or a genetic disease resulting in immunodeficiency, or immunosuppression in patients after organ or bone marrow transplantation, immunocompromised patients develop severe manifestations which can be life-threatening or fatal. Also at risk is the fetus of a mother who is acutely infected during pregnancy. This scenario is one of the causes of hydrops fetalis. CMV can involve almost any organ in the body.