Severe influenza B myocarditis and myositis.

OBJECTIVE

To report an influenza B infection with associated myocarditis and severe skeletal myositis.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Cardiac intensive care unit in a university-affiliated children's hospital.

PATIENT

A 4-yr-old girl.

RESULTS

The patient was successfully supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for profound myocardial dysfunction and a combination of plasmapheresis and continuous venovenous hemodialysis for rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.

CONCLUSIONS

This case provides a reminder that patients presenting with viral illness or myoglobinuria accompanied by renal failure, with or without associated myocarditis, may be demonstrating symptoms of influenza B.