encephalomyocarditis /ensef′əlōmī′ōkärdī″tis/ [Gk, enkephalos + mys, muscle, kardia, heart, itis, inflammation] , an infectious disease of the central nervous system and heart tissue caused by a group of small ribonucleic acid picornaviruses. Rodents are a major reservoir of the infection. Human illness ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe encephalomyelitis. Symptoms are generally similar to those of poliomyelitis. Myocarditis is not a feature of infection in humans, and most victims recover promptly without sequelae. Treatment is supportive. See also picornavirus.
