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 weakening and dilation of the ventricles with reduced systolic function, and several well-recognized causes exist. Inflammatory injury to the heart muscle, particularly viral myocarditis such as Coxsackie B, can initiate myocardial damage that progresses to dilation and dysfunction. Peripartum cardiomyopathy arises from changes around pregnancy and the postpartum period that impair myocardial function, leading to dilated ventricles. Toxicity from alcohol and certain drugs, including some chemotherapeutic agents, directly harms cardiac myocytes and can produce a dilated cardiomyopathy pattern. In contrast, Streptococcal infection is classically associated with rheumatic fever affecting the valves, not with the myocarditis that leads to dilation. Thus, Streptococcal infection is not a recognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy results from weakening and dilation of the ventricles with reduced systolic function, and several well-recognized causes exist. Inflammatory injury to the heart muscle, particularly viral myocarditis such as Coxsackie B, can initiate myocardial damage that progresses to dilation and dysfunction. Peripartum cardiomyopathy arises from changes around pregnancy and the postpartum period that impair myocardial function, leading to dilated ventricles. Toxicity from alcohol and certain drugs, including some chemotherapeutic agents, directly harms cardiac myocytes and can produce a dilated cardiomyopathy pattern. In contrast, Streptococcal infection is classically associated with rheumatic fever affecting the valves, not with the myocarditis that leads to dilation. Thus, Streptococcal infection is not a recognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy.