Infekcyjne zapalenie mięśni u dzieci

Infectious myositis is a rare group of childhood diseases with different aetiologies and clinical manifestations. Myositis may be caused by viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic agents. At times, clinical picture alone provides information about suspected pathogen responsible for infection. Viral myositis usually manifests as a generalized muscular pain with involvement of many muscles. Bacterial infection typically manifests as a focal myositis with high fever and muscle abscess formation. In immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients fungal myositis may occur, which is characterized by severe septic course and uncertain prognosis. Occurrence of pain and swelling of limbs or eye socket, along with a typical medical history, and accompanying high eosinophilia in blood, suggests parasitic myositis. In order to make an accurate diagnosis and implement appropriate treatment, medical data from interview, clinical picture, biochemical tests, microbiological and serological findings, ultrasound, CT- or MR-imaging and biopsy of muscle tissue should be performed.