# Pneumococcal Myocarditis in an Immunocompetent Young Adult: A Case Report and Literature Review

**Authors:** Khalil Tritar, Souha Hannachi, Rym Abid, Riadh Battikh

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.92959 · Cureus · 2025-09-22

## TL;DR

A young adult with pneumococcal pneumonia developed myocarditis, highlighting the need for cardiac evaluation in such cases.

## Contribution

This case report highlights pneumococcal myocarditis as an under-recognized complication in immunocompetent individuals.

## Key findings

- An 18-year-old male with pneumococcal pneumonia developed myopericarditis confirmed by echocardiography and MRI.
- The patient fully recovered after 14 days of intravenous antibiotics and supportive care.
- The case underscores the importance of cardiac evaluation in pneumococcal infections.

## Abstract

Pneumococcal myocarditis is an uncommon complication of invasive pneumococcal disease, although experimental data suggest that cardiac involvement may be more frequent than clinically recognized. We describe the case of an 18-year-old immunocompetent male who developed community-acquired pneumonia complicated by myopericarditis. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from blood cultures. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (40-45%) with pericardial effusion, and cardiac MRI confirmed functional impairment without evidence of necrosis or inflammation. The patient was treated with a 14-day course of intravenous antibiotics alongside supportive care, resulting in full clinical and cardiac recovery. This case emphasizes the under-recognized risk of myocarditis in the context of pneumococcal pneumonia, underscores the importance of routine cardiac evaluation, and highlights the need for heightened clinical awareness to ensure timely diagnosis and management.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** pneumococcal pneumonia (MONDO:0005972), myocarditis (MONDO:0004496)
- **Species:** Streptococcus pneumoniae (taxon 1313)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** myopericarditis (MESH:D010146), pericardial effusion (MESH:D010490), pneumococcal pneumonia (MESH:D011018), pneumococcal disease (MESH:D011008), inflammation (MESH:D007249), Pneumococcal Myocarditis (MESH:D009205), necrosis (MESH:D009336), pneumonia (MESH:D011014), cardiac involvement (MESH:D006331)
- **Species:** Streptococcus pneumoniae (species) [taxon 1313], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

16 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12543368/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12543368