A Rare Case of Salmonella Myopericarditis in an Athlete: Diagnosis by Stool Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Myocarditis, a potentially life-threatening disease characterized by inflammatory infiltration of the myocardium and/or degeneration of myocardial tissue, has many potential infectious and noninfectious etiologies [1]. The causative organism is often not elucidated. Myocarditis most commonly affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 45 years, with 60% to 90% of cases occurring in males [1]. Prior to 2020, the incidence of myocarditis ranged from 4 to 14 per 100,000 people annually [1]. COVID-19 infection has been associated with an incidence of 59 to 64 per 100,000 per year. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines also have been linked to myocarditis (2.1 cases per 100,000 vaccine recipients per year), though much less frequently than infection. [1] The true incidence of myocarditis is likely higher, as many cases go unrecognized. The broad range of etiologies of myocarditis includes infections, immune-mediated causes, and exposure to myocardial toxins. Viral infections are most frequently implicated, but various bacteria, fungi, and parasites also cause myocarditis [2]. The most common clinical manifestations are chest pain, which occurs in 82% to 95% of cases, followed by dyspnea (19% to 49%), syncope (5% to 7%), and palpitations [1].