Myocardial infarction-like electrocardiogram in acute Hantavirus infection

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 19-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever and exhaustion. During his hospital stay he had pain in the back and flanks. INVESTIGATIONS: The electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST-segment elevation in V1-V3, similar to that occurring in myocardial infarction. Renal function was decreased with proteinuria and the platelet count was decreased The symptoms and clinical findings aroused the suspicion of a Hantavirus infection, which was confirmed by antibody tests. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The patient was treated symptomatically with paracetamol. After 5 days the patient felt better and had a normal temperature. The thrombocyte count and renal function normalised after 10 days in hospital. CONCLUSION: In case of a suspected peril-/ myocarditis a Hantavirus infection should be considered as a possible cause, which should be clarified by antibody tests.