Which of the following is NOT a recognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy?

Which of the following is NOT a recognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy?

• A. Myocarditis (Coxsackie B)
• B. Peripartum
• C. Toxicity (Alcohol, drugs)
• D. Infection with Streptococcus

Answer: (D)

Dilated cardiomyopathy results from disease of the heart muscle itself, leading to dilation of the ventricles and impaired systolic function. Several well-established causes injure the myocardium directly, such as viral myocarditis (for example, Coxsackie B), peripartum cardiomyopathy occurring around the end of pregnancy, and toxicity from substances like alcohol or certain drugs. An infection with Streptococcus, however, is not a classic cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. Streptococcal infections are more famously linked to rheumatic fever and valve disease rather than primary myocardial dilation. While Streptococcus can cause other cardiac problems, it does not typically produce the primary myocardial injury that defines dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy results from disease of the heart muscle itself, leading to dilation of the ventricles and impaired systolic function. Several well-established causes injure the myocardium directly, such as viral myocarditis (for example, Coxsackie B), peripartum cardiomyopathy occurring around the end of pregnancy, and toxicity from substances like alcohol or certain drugs. An infection with Streptococcus, however, is not a classic cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. Streptococcal infections are more famously linked to rheumatic fever and valve disease rather than primary myocardial dilation. While Streptococcus can cause other cardiac problems, it does not typically produce the primary myocardial injury that defines dilated cardiomyopathy.