39. Viral myocarditis

Staining: HE

Overview. Kinda looks like a smiley face. The marked section is the best one to examine.

Organ: Myocardium

Description:

We can see many sections of myocardium. The myocardium has many focal accumulations of lymphocytes. Some foci of the myocardium contain no cells, and some have an abnormal cloudy/wavy appearance.

Diagnosis: Viral myocarditis

Causes:

• Coxsackie virus

Theory:

Evidence number 1 for focal cell necrosis

Two findings are characteristic for myocarditis: focal lymphocyte accumulation and focal cell necrosis. We can see two evidences for focal cell necrosis:

1. Areas where there are no nuclei
2. Areas that are wavy/cloudy in appearance

Evidence number 2. This is what I mean by wavy/cloudy parts