An endemic cardiomyopathy characterised by multifocal myocardial necrosis and fibrosis, reported from regions of China with selenium deficient soil, is caused by deficiency of:
- A Zinc
- B Selenium ✓
- C Copper
- D Magnesium
Explanation
Keshan disease is an endemic cardiomyopathy linked to selenium deficiency, named after Keshan county in north east China where soil selenium levels are very low. Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase, and its deficiency leaves myocardium vulnerable to oxidative damage, possibly aggravated by coxsackievirus infection. Zinc deficiency causes growth retardation and acrodermatitis enteropathica, copper deficiency causes anaemia and neutropenia, and magnesium deficiency causes neuromuscular irritability and arrhythmias, none of which produce this endemic necrotising cardiomyopathy.
Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.