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Causes
Many cases of myocarditis have no identifiable cause. This is called idiopathic myocarditis. When a cause is identified, it falls into one of three categories: infectious, toxic, or immune-mediated.
Infectious
- Viral infection from viruses like measles , rabies , or HIV .
- Bacterial infection from bacteria like diphtheria or Mycobacterium .
- Fungal infection from Aspergillus or Candida .
Toxic
- Drugs, including chemotherapeutic drugs , lithium , or cocaine .
- Heavy metals, including copper, iron, or lead.
- Toxic substances, including arsenic, carbon monoxide, or other inhalants.
- Physical agents, including electric shock or radiation.
Immune-mediated
- Allergic reactions to penicillin or streptomycin.
- Alloantigens, including heart transplant rejection.
- Autoantigens, including Chagas’ disease, scleroderma , or lupus .