Related Experiment Videos
Cytomegalovirus pericarditis with cardiac tamponade in a young infant
1Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
Insights
Cytomegalovirus pericarditis is rare but possible in infants. This case highlights the importance of considering cytomegalovirus (CMV) in young children with pericardial effusion.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Pericarditis is commonly caused by enteroviruses.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pericarditis is rare, typically seen in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A three-month-old infant presented with respiratory symptoms and fever.
- Physical exam revealed tachycardia, tachypnea, hepatomegaly, and muffled heart sounds.
- Chest X-ray showed cardiac silhouette enlargement; echocardiography revealed large pericardial effusion.
Findings:
- Viral culture and serology confirmed cytomegalovirus infection.
- The infant improved with pericardial drainage and supportive care.
Implications:
- Cytomegalovirus pericarditis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pericardial effusion in young infants.
- This case expands the known demographic for CMV pericarditis.
Abstract:
The principal viruses implicated in pericarditis are enteroviruses. Cytomegalovirus pericarditis is quite rare and has been reported in immunocompromised patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, malignant neoplasm or organ transplantation. We report a three-month-old male infant who suffered from cough and rhinorrhea for two weeks. He developed shortness of breath for three days, and fever for one day, prior to admission. Physical examination revealed tachycardia, tachypnea, pale conjunctiva, hepatomegaly, and a muffled heart sound without significant murmur. Chest radiography showed marked enlargement of the cardiac silhouette. Echocardiography demonstrated a large amount of pericardial effusion with impaired diastolic ventricular function. After pericardial drainage and supportive treatment, the fluid gradually disappeared. Viral culture of the pericardial fluid and serologic data confirmed a cytomegalovirus infection. Cytomegalovirus pericarditis should be included in the differential diagnosis of pericardial effusion in a young infant.