Abstract

Concerned about the reported high incidence of sudden unexpected deaths (SUD) in Sweden an investigation of the Danish national team in orienteering was carried out. Blood from 38 runners was tested for antibodies against Chlamydia Pneumoniiae (TWAR) and Borrelia. No ongoing TWAR infection was found. 40 have had an earlier infection which resembles the average population. Our study group was found to have higher incidence of borrelia infections than the average population. 10 runners were tested with ECG, exercise ECG, Holter ECG and EKKO. Sportsheart was diagnosed in 3 (30). No signs of myocarditis were found. We also studied all SUD among 15-30 years old persons in Denmark within the last decade. In average 9 persons in that age group died suddenly unexpected per year (yearly incidence 1: 100,000). In 15 the diagnosed cause of death was myocarditis, however in 44 no abvious deathreasons were found. Along with many other bacteria and viruses, TWAR might have been the reason for a subclinical myocarditis as a direct cause of death. We conclude that there is no ongoing TWAR infection or myocarditis among Danish elite orienteers. TWAR as a cause to myocarditis has newly been described, but in Denmark there is no reason to believe, that TWAR only attacks elite orienteers. Many questions about the Swedish casualties still remain unanswered. We are looking forward to hear more results from Sweden. Verf.-Referat