Heart Attack Associated with Campylobacter Infection
It was reported today on Radio New Zealand that New Zealand’s Green Party co-leader, Rod Donald, died of a heart attack brought on by myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle) associated with a Campylobacter infection. He was 48.
This is a reminder of how dangerous Campylobacter can be. Although rare, Campylobacter can cause heart attacks in even young patients. Numerous studies have looked at different incidences of cardiac disease associated with Campylobacter.
A study published in the European Journal of Heart Failure looked at a case of acute myocarditis associated with Campylobacter jejuni resulted in enterocolitis, which led to severe impairment of left ventricular systolic function. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases looked at three cases of acute cardiac disease (myocarditis, myopericarditis (inflammation of both heart muscle and pericardium), and acute atrial fibrillation (rapid, irregular, and chaotic atrial activity) associated with Campylobacter jejuni infections. Another study published in Acta Medica Scandinavica looked at three cases of carditis associated with Campylobacter infections. Two of these patients also developed arthritis as a result of the Campylobacter infection.
Interestingly, a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Disease looked at one case of myocarditis that was associated with both Salmonella heidelberg and Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections in a young adult. Given the high contamination rate of poultry with both pathogens, it is possible for someone to be infected with both Salmonella and Campylobacter at the same time.
If you or a family member has had a heart attack associated with a Campylobacter or Salmonella infection, contact a Campylobacter lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.
Sources:
1. Cox, I.D., Fluck, D.S., Joy, M.D. 2001. Campylobacter myocarditis; loose bowels and a baggy heart. European Journal of Heart Failure 3(1):105-7.
2. Hannu, T., Mattila, L., Rautelin, H., Siitonen, A., Leirisalo-Repo, M. 2005. Three cases of cardiac complications associated with Campylobacter jejuni infection and review of the literature. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 24(9):619-22.
3. Wanby, P., Olsen, B. 2001. Myocarditis in a patient with Salmonella and Campylobacter enteritis. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Disease 33(11):860-2.
4. Ponka, A. Pitkanen, T., Pettersson, T., Aittoniemi, S., Kosunen, T.U. 1980. Carditis and arthritis associated with Campylobacter jejuni infection. Acta Medica Scandinavica 208(6):495-6.