COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Histological Features
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Pathogenetic Mechanisms
2.1. COVID-19 Myocarditis
- Direct Invasion of the Myocardium [21,22]: one of the proposed mechanisms for myocarditis from COVID-19 is the direct invasion of the myocardium by the virus. SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptors, which are present not only in lung cells, but also in other cells of the body, including cardiomyocytes. This interaction can lead to the following:
- Direct Cellular Injury: The entrance of the virus into cardiac cells can result in cell death and impaired cardiac function.
- Apoptosis and Necrosis: The virus can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) and necrosis in cardiomyocytes, contributing to inflammation and cardiac dysfunction.
- Inflammatory Response and Cytokine Storm [23,24,25]: one of the most serious complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the cytokine storm, an excessive immune reaction characterized by the massive production of inflammatory cytokines. This mechanism manifests itself in various ways:
- Release of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines: Cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) are released in high quantities. These molecules can damage cardiac cells and amplify inflammation.
- Cellular Infiltration: The cytokine storm leads to an infiltration of immune cells (such as lymphocytes and macrophages) into the cardiac tissue, contributing to inflammation and myocardial damage.
- Coagulopathy and Microthrombosis [26,27,28]: COVID-19 is associated with a predisposition to coagulation and thrombus formation. This mechanism can affect the myocardium in several ways:
- Coronary Vessel Microthrombosis: The formation of microthrombi can compromise the blood supply to cardiac tissues, causing ischemia and myocardial damage.
- Endothelial Damage: The infection can damage the vascular endothelium, contributing to a systemic inflammatory response and increasing the risk of thrombotic events.
- Autoimmune Reactions [29,30]: another important aspect concerns the possible development of autoimmune reactions in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection:
- Molecular Mimicry: Some studies suggest that viral proteins may present structural similarities with cardiac proteins, leading to an immune response that also attacks cardiac tissues.
- T Lymphocyte Activation: The immune response can activate specific T lymphocytes against cardiac antigens, further contributing to inflammation and myocardial damage.
- Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation [31,32]: SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect the autonomic nervous system, which regulates several cardiac functions:
- Cardiac Control Alterations: Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system can lead to dysfunctions in heart rate and cardiac contractility.
- Autonomic Stress: Acute stress situations can exacerbate inflammatory responses and myocardial damage.
2.2. COVID-19 Vaccine Myocarditis
- Vaccine-Induced Immune Response [33,34]: the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is designed to stimulate an immune response against the Spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This immune response may, in rare cases, have adverse effects:
- Activation of the Inflammatory Response: Administration of the vaccine causes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which may activate a systemic immune response. In some individuals, this response may be exaggerated, leading to myocardial inflammation.
- Antibody Production: The vaccine induces the production of specific antibodies against the Spike protein. In rare cases, these antibodies may react with similar structures in cardiac tissue, contributing to autoimmune damage.
- Molecular Mimicry [34,35]: another proposed mechanism for post-vaccination myocarditis is molecular mimicry:
- Structural Similarity: Viral proteins, particularly the Spike protein, may have structures like cardiac proteins. This similarity may lead to an inappropriate immune response, in which the immune system attacks cardiac cells thinking it is fighting a viral infection.
- Autoimmunity: Activation of an autoimmune response against the myocardium may occur, leading to inflammation and tissue damage.
- Immune Regulatory Dysfunction [36,37]: after vaccination, the immune system is activated and must regulate the inflammatory response:
- Dysregulation of the Inflammatory Response: In some individuals, the inflammatory response may not be adequately controlled, leading to a cytokine storm like that seen in severe cases of COVID-19. This can cause significant tissue damage in the heart.
- T-Cell Activation: T-cells may be over-activated, contributing to the infiltration of immune cells into the myocardium and subsequent inflammation.
- Vascular Response Side Effects [37,38]: vaccination may also affect the vascular system, contributing to potential cardiac complications:
- Endothelial Activation: The response to the vaccine may lead to endothelial inflammation, which can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. This can lead to myocardial ischemia and inflammation.
- Coagulopathy: Although less evident than what is observed in COVID-19 cases, mild coagulopathy may occur in some patients, which could contribute to the formation of microthrombi and cardiac ischemia.
- Genetic Factors and Individual Predisposition [38,39]: not all subjects develop post-vaccination myocarditis, suggesting that genetic factors or personal predispositions may play a role:
- Genetic Variability: Differences in individual immune response, potentially linked to genetic factors, may influence susceptibility to myocarditis.
- Preexisting Comorbidities: Some individuals may have preexisting conditions—such as autoimmune diseases or other immunological abnormalities—that make them more vulnerable to developing cardiac inflammation.
3. Histological Features
4. Treatment of Myocarditis
5. Sudden Cardiac Death
6. Variations in Global Reporting and Long-Term Outcomes
7. Future Directions
8. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Pathogenetic Mechanisms | Description | Details |
---|---|---|
Direct Invasion of the Myocardium [21,22] | The SARS-CoV-2 virus invades cardiomyocytes directly. | Direct cell injury: cell death and cardiac dysfunction. Apoptosis and necrosis: programmed and unprogrammed cell death. |
Inflammatory Response and Cytokine Storm [23,24,25] | Excessive immune reaction with massive production of inflammatory cytokines. | Release of pro-inflammatory cytokines: high amounts of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Cellular infiltration: lymphocytes and macrophages in cardiac tissues. |
Coagulopathy and Microthrombosis [26,27,28] | Predisposition to thrombotic and coagulation phenomena. | Coronary vessel microthrombosis: ischemia and myocardial damage. Endothelial damage: systemic inflammatory response and risk of thrombotic events. |
Autoimmune Reactions [29,30] | Possible development of autoimmune responses against heart tissue. | Molecular mimicry: similarity between viral and cardiac proteins. T-cell activation: immune response against cardiac antigens. |
Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation [31,32] | Alterations in the autonomic system that regulates cardiac functions. | Cardiac control alterations: rate and contractility dysfunctions. Autonomic stress: acute stress that aggravates myocardial damage. |
Pathogenetic Mechanisms | Description | Details |
---|---|---|
Vaccine-Induced Immune Response [33,34] | Immune reaction against the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. | Activation of the inflammatory response: release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Antibody production: possible cross-reaction with cardiac tissue. |
Molecular Mimicry [34,35] | Structural similarity between viral and cardiac proteins. | Structural similarity: Spike proteins may resemble those of the myocardium. Autoimmunity: activation of autoimmune responses against myocardium. |
Immune Regulatory Dysfunction [36,37] | Ineffective regulation of the post-vaccination inflammatory response. | Cytokine storm: excessive inflammatory response. T cell activation: infiltration of immune cells into the myocardium and subsequent inflammation. |
Vascular Response Side Effects [37,38] | Post-vaccination vascular system response. | Endothelial activation: inflammation of the vessels that can cause ischemia and myocardial inflammation. Coagulopathy: mild microthrombus formation and cardiac ischemia. |
Genetic Factors and Individual Predisposition [38,39] | Genetic variability and pre-existing comorbidities. | Genetic variability: Individual immune response may influence susceptibility. Preexisting comorbidities: Autoimmune conditions or immunological abnormalities may increase the risk of myocarditis. |
Histological Features | COVID-19 Myocarditis | Post-Vaccination Myocarditis |
---|---|---|
Inflammatory infiltrate | Perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates, mainly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. | Lymphocytic infiltrates like viral myocarditis, but less extensive and more localized. |
Myocyte necrosis | Frequently observed focal myocardial necrosis. | Necrotic myocardial damage is generally less pronounced than in viral myocarditis. |
Interstitial edema | Present, often associated with inflammation. | Possible transient edema related to inflammation. |
Intravascular microthrombi | Frequent microthrombi formation, often linked to endothelial damage. | Rare presence of microthrombi; less frequent than COVID-19 myocarditis. |
Endothelial damage | Significant damage, associated with cytokine storm and microvascular ischemia. | Less endothelial involvement compared to COVID-19 myocarditis. |
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© 2025 by the authors. Published by MDPI on behalf of the Hellenic Society for Microbiology. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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Salzillo, C.; Marzullo, A. COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Histological Features. Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2025, 70, 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/amh70010003
Salzillo C, Marzullo A. COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Histological Features. Acta Microbiologica Hellenica. 2025; 70(1):3. https://doi.org/10.3390/amh70010003
Chicago/Turabian StyleSalzillo, Cecilia, and Andrea Marzullo. 2025. "COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Histological Features" Acta Microbiologica Hellenica 70, no. 1: 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/amh70010003
APA StyleSalzillo, C., & Marzullo, A. (2025). COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Histological Features. Acta Microbiologica Hellenica, 70(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/amh70010003