Pericarditis Developing After Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: A Case Report

Acute pericarditis may be infectious or noninfectious, and the most common agents are viruses. A 34-year-old male was admitted to hospital with fever, respiratory distress and chest pain while breathing. Echocardiography showed pericardial effusion, thoracic computed tomography demonstrated pleural effusion. Anti-EBV VCA IgM was positive. He responded to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment and clinical cure was observed. This case revealed that Epstein-Barr virus should also be remembered as an etiologic agent in immunocompetent patients with pericardial and pleural effusion.