An outbreak of acute viral myositis with different outcomes: A case series

Abstract

Viral myositis is induced by direct muscle invasion, molecular mimicry, production of immune complexes, immune dysregulation, and various other mechanisms. The pathogenesis of this entity is still unclear. Here, we report a case series of viral myositis with varied clinical presentations who had different outcomes ranging from complete recovery to death. To report a variety of clinical and laboratory presentation of an outbreak of viral myositis. This was a case series of seven patients, describing clinical, electrophysiological, and laboratory tests and histopathology and treatment results. The study showed a benign course in 2, recurrence in 1, fulminant necrotizing myositis in 4, and coexisting Guillain–Barre syndrome in 2 with 1 patient culminating to death in the latter group. The variability in outcome of viral myositis suggests that there are some genetic factors which lead to fulminant necrotizing myositis in contrast to the patients experiencing a benign course of myositis.