Coxsackie myocarditis complicating treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A fatal case of Coxsackie B4 myocarditis complicating treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma in an adult is reported. The virus was isolated from the myocardium obtained at autopsy and light microscopy confirmed a myocarditis with involvement of the conduction system. Electron-microscopy showed dense mitochondrial inclusions. Coxsackie myocarditis rarely results in death of affected adults. It is postulated in this case that the treatment of the Hodgkin's lymphoma resulted in B lymphocyte depletion, allowing a more virulent infection to occur with resultant fatal myocarditis.