Frontiers in Pediatrics (Jul 2023)

Case report: Epstein–Barr virus and constrictive pericarditis—An unusual combination

  • Mario Panebianco,
  • Eduard Limonjiani,
  • Roberto Formigari,
  • Veronica Bordonaro,
  • Aurelio Secinaro,
  • Enrico Cetrano,
  • Adriano Carotti,
  • Lorenzo Galletti,
  • Sonia Albanese

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1215928
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Constrictive pericarditis is a chronic inflammatory process that can lead to heart failure if not diagnosed and treated correctly. Although Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)–related pericarditis is a very rare condition, it should still be considered for a differential diagnosis. We report the case of an 18-year-old male, who was surgically treated for constrictive pericarditis, in which in situ hybridization to Epstein–Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) probe of the excised pericardium led to the subsequent etiological diagnosis of chronic pericarditis caused by EBV.

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