Outbreak of paediatric myocarditis associated with parvovirus B19 infection in Italy, January to October 2024
Marco Poeta, Cristina Moracas, Francesca Ippolita Calò Carducci, Claudio Cafagno, Danilo Buonsenso, Marco Maglione, Sofia Sgubbi, Cecilia Liberati, Elisabetta Venturini, Giuseppe Limongelli, Felice Nunziata, Laura Petrarca, Claudia Mandato, Claudia Colomba, Alfredo Guarino, Pediatric INF-ACT Network Study Group
Abstract
Acute myocarditis has risen among paediatric patients in Italy, with 65 clinically suspected cases reported by 12 centres in 2024, 32 linked to parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection. In 11 cases, B19V was not ruled out despite a concurrent European outbreak. Twenty-nine children required intensive care; eight fatalities occurred. While effective for both severe B19V infection and myocarditis, intravenous immunoglobulins were given in only one-third of cases. These findings highlight the need for timely diagnosis, stronger surveillance, and standardised treatment protocols.