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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
07:15
An Intact Pericardium Ischemic Rodent Model
Published on: September 2, 2021
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome presenting as pericarditis and pericardial effusion
Alwyn Rapose1, Bilal Sarvat, Juan C Sarria
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0435, USA. alrapose@utmb.edu
Cardiology
|November 1, 2007
Summary
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) can cause rare heart inflammation in HIV and TB patients. Ibuprofen effectively treated pericardial involvement without stopping essential therapies.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a common complication in patients with co-infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB).
- IRIS occurs following the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), affecting 30-43% of co-infected individuals.
- Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are infrequent but serious manifestations of IRIS.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of HIV-TB related IRIS presenting with significant pericardial involvement.
- The patient developed symptoms indicative of pericarditis and pericardial effusion.
- The condition was observed in the context of ongoing antituberculous treatment and HAART.
Findings:
- The pericardial involvement associated with HIV-TB IRIS was successfully treated with ibuprofen.
- Anti-inflammatory treatment with ibuprofen led to the resolution of cardiac complications.
- Crucially, neither the antituberculous therapy nor the HAART regimen required interruption.
Implications:
- This case highlights that pericardial involvement can be a manifestation of HIV-TB IRIS.
- Ibuprofen represents a potential therapeutic option for managing IRIS-associated pericardial disease.
- The findings suggest that IRIS-related cardiac complications may be manageable without compromising essential HIV and TB treatments.
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