Pericarditis Associated with Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation in a Patient Following Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation from an HLA Genotypic 1-Locus Mismatched Sibling Donor

Abstract

A 31-year-old woman with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) underwent allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT). On day + 274 following transplantation, the patient had severe chest pain, high-grade fever, and general fatigue. Electrocardiographic examination revealed ST segment elevation, and echocardiographic examination revealed an obvious pericardial. The diagnosis of pericarditis was made. We could not exclude the possibility of a combination of chronic GVHD involving the liver, because biochemistry examination revealed altered liver dysfunction, but liver biopsy was not performed. The patient underwent empirical treatment for bacterial or viral infection, and was given prednisolone for chronic GVHD. Retrospective serologic examination revealed that EBV reactivation had occurred at this time. This is the first reported case of pericarditis associated with EBV reactivation after allogeneic-stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT).

• Pericarditis
• Epstein-Barr Virus
• Allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• Chronic GVHD