Fatal group A streptococcal myopericarditis during influenza A infection.

Influenza A infection can be a serious and life-threatening disease in young children. Even in those who die, however, the cause of death may not be obvious. In this illustrative report, a 7-year-old child with acute influenza A infection developed an unsuspected fatal secondary infection caused by group A streptococcus. The diagnosis of bacterial myopericarditis was made at autopsy.