A case of Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with severe cardiac complications

Infectious factors in myocarditis: a comprehensive review of common and rare pathogens

BACKGROUND

Myocarditis is a significant health threat today, with infectious agents being the most common cause. Accurate diagnosis of the etiology of infectious myocarditis is crucial for effective treatment.

MAIN BODY

Infectious myocarditis can be caused by viruses, prokaryotes, parasites, and fungi. Viral infections are typically the primary cause. However, some rare opportunistic pathogens can also damage heart muscle cells in patients with immunodeficiencies, neoplasms and those who have undergone heart surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This article reviews research on common and rare pathogens of infectious myocarditis, emphasizing the complexity of its etiology, with the aim of helping clinicians make an accurate diagnosis of infectious myocarditis.

Clinical Features of Cytokine Storm Syndrome

Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) is a severe life-threatening condition characterized by a clinical phenotype of overwhelming systemic inflammation, hyperferritinemia, hemodynamic instability, and multiple organ failure (MOF), and, if untreated, it can potentially lead to death. The hallmark of CSS is an uncontrolled and dysfunctional immune response involving the continual activation and expansion of lymphocytes and macrophages, which secrete large amounts of cytokines, causing a cytokine storm. Many clinical features of CSS can be explained by the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-18 [1-7]. These cytokines are elevated in most patients with CSS as well as in animal models of CSS [8, 9]. A constellation of symptoms, signs, and laboratory abnormalities occurs that depends on the severity of the syndrome, the underlying predisposing conditions, and the triggering agent.

Cardiovascular involvement in Epstein-Barr virus infection

Cardiovascular involvement is an uncommon but severe complication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection caused by direct damage and immune injury. Recently, it has drawn increasing attention due to its dismal prognosis. It can manifest in various ways, including coronary artery dilation (CAD), coronary artery aneurysm (CAA), myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failure, among others. If not treated promptly, cardiovascular damage can progress over time and even lead to death, which poses a challenge to clinicians. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis and reduce mortality. However, there is a lack of reliable large-scale data and evidence-based guidance for the management of cardiovascular damage. Consequently, in this review, we attempt to synthesize the present knowledge of cardiovascular damage associated with EBV and to provide an overview of the pathogenesis, classification, treatment, and prognosis, which may enhance the recognition of cardiovascular complications related to EBV and may be valuable to their clinical management.

A Pediatric Case Report of Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis With Pericardial Effusion and Multiple Coronary Artery Aneurysms

Pediatric coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are mainly detected in Kawasaki disease and in chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection sometimes, and cardiac complications are rare in viral-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) patients. Here, we report a pediatric case of EBV-associated HLH with pericardial effusion and multiple CAAs, whereas the patient did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria of Kawasaki disease or chronic active EBV. The case indicates that CAAs may occur in EBV-HLH. Specifically, in a patient with a long-term fever and a high EBV DNA copy number, the detection of cardiac complications may help signal the possible occurrence of HLH, and CAAs may affect the prognosis for high risk of cardiac events.

Clinical analysis of chronic active EBV infection with coronary artery dilatation and a matched case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, prognosis and risk factors for chronic active Epstein-Barr Virus infection (CAEBV) associated with coronary artery dilatation (CAD) in children.

METHODS

Children with CAEBV associated with CAD hospitalized at Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2016 to December 2019 were analyzed. Children with CAEBV without CAD were selected as the control group and matched by sex, age, treatment and admission time. The clinical manifestations, laboratory and ultrasound examinations, treatment and prognosis of the children were collected in both groups.

RESULTS

There were 10 children with CAEBV combined with CAD, including 6 males and 4 females, accounting for 8.9% (10/112) of CAEBV patients in the same period, with an onset age of 6.05 (2.8-14.3) years. The median follow-up time was 20 (6-48) months. All the patients had high copies of EBV-DNA in whole blood [1.18 × 10⁷ (1.90 × 10⁵-3.96 × 10⁷) copies/mL] and plasma [1.81 × 10⁴ (1.54 × 10³-1.76 × 10⁶) copies/mL], and all biopsy samples (bone marrow, lymph nodes or liver) were all positive for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA. Among the 10 children, 8 had bilateral CAD, and 2 patients had unilateral CAD. After diagnosis, 7 children were treated with L-DEP chemotherapy in our hospital. After chemotherapy, four patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The others were waiting for HSCT. At the time of the last patients follow up record, the CAD had returned to normal in 3 patients, and the time from the diagnosis of CAD to recovery was 21 (18-68) days. LDH, serum ferritin, TNF-α and IL-10 levels were statistically significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.009, 0.008, 0.026 and 0.030). There were no significant differences in survival rate between the two groups (P = 0.416).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of CAEBV with CAD was low. CAEBV with CAD did not influence the prognosis. Patients who had high LDH, serum ferritin, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels early in their illness were more likely to develop CAD.

SARS-CoV-2: Immune Response Elicited by Infection and Development of Vaccines and Treatments

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in March a pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This new infectious disease was named Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19), and at October 2020, more than 39,000,000 cases of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected worldwide leading to near 1,100,000 deaths. Clinically, COVID-19 is characterized by clinical manifestations, such as fever, dry cough, headache, and in more severe cases, respiratory distress. Moreover, neurological-, cardiac-, and renal-related symptoms have also been described. Clinical evidence suggests that migration of immune cells to the affected organs can produce an exacerbated release of proinflammatory mediators that contribute to disease and render the immune response as a major player during the development of the COVID-19 disease. Due to the current sanitary situation, the development of vaccines is imperative. Up to the date, 42 prototypes are being tested in humans in different clinical stages, with 10 vaccine candidates undergoing evaluation in phase III clinical trials. In the same way, the search for an effective treatment to approach the most severe cases is also in constant advancement. Several potential therapies have been tested since COVID-19 was described, including antivirals, antiparasitic and immune modulators. Recently, clinical trials with hydroxychloroquine-a promising drug in the beginning-were suspended. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved convalescent serum administration as a treatment for SARS-CoV-2 patients. Moreover, monoclonal antibody therapy is also under development to neutralize the virus and prevent infection. In this article, we describe the clinical manifestations and the immunological information available about COVID-19 disease. Furthermore, we discuss current therapies under study and the development of vaccines to prevent this disease.

Clinical characteristics of primary and reactivated Epstein-Barr virus infection in children

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection occurs commonly in children and presents as a primary or reactivated infection, which are difficult for clinicians to distinguish. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of the two types of infections. Children with detectable plasma EBV-DNA were retrospectively enrolled and divided into primary and reactivated infection group by EBV-specific antibody. We analyzed the patients' characteristics, clinical manifestations, complications, inflammatory biomarkers, and viral load. A total of 9.3% of children with reactivation were immunocompromised over the long-term. The primary infection mostly appeared as infectious mononucleosis (99.8%), while reactivation occurred as an infectious mononucleosis-like disease (65.0%), hemophagocytic syndrome (22.6%), chronic active EBV infection (5.3%) and lymphoma (3.5%). The incidence of fevers, cervical lymphoditis, periorbital edema, pharyngotonsillitis, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in primary infection were 93.3%, 93.0%, 51.5%, 66.0%, 76.2% and 63.9%, respectively; the incidence of those symptoms in reactivation was 84.0%, 46.9%, 15.4%, 18.5%, 18.5%, and 43.3%, respectively. The incidence of digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, hematological, genitourinary complications and multiple serous effusion in primary infection was 68.8%, 18.1%, 8.0%, 0.8%, 2.9%, 0.0% and 2.3%; whereas the incidence of these complications in reactivation was 56.2%, 22.5%, 14.1%, 8.0%, 38.9%, 0.3% and 19.0%. Patients with reactivation were more prone to multi-systemic damage. B-cells were lower, and CD8+ T-cells were higher in primary infection. Viral load was correlated with the level of different cytokines in primary and reactivated infection. EBV primary infection often presents as infectious mononucleosis. The reactivated infection affects more immunocompromised subjects with diverse and complex manifestations. Various complications are more commonly associated with reactivation as a result of different inflammatory responses to different types of infection.

Epstein-Barr virus-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis complicated with coronary artery dilation and acute renal injury in a boy with a novel X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) variant: a case report

Background

X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is a rare inherited X-linked primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). One such disease, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) deficiency, is characterized by Epstein–Barr virus-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH). However, EBV-HLH with coronary artery dilation and acute renal injury (AKI) in children is unusual.

Case presentation

We report the case of a young boy aged 17 months with a novel XIAP variant. He was initially diagnosed with EBV-HLH based on the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria and the condition was accompanied by coronary artery dilation and acute renal injury. The comprehensive genetic analysis of peripheral blood-derived DNA revealed a hemizygous variant of the XIAP gene [c.116G > C(p.G39A)], which was inherited from his mother (heterozygous condition). After combined treatment with rituximab, intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in addition to supportive therapy, his clinical manifestations and laboratory indexes were improved. The patient achieved complete remission with MMF treatment in the 8-month follow-up.

Conclusions

We report the [c.116G > C(p.G39A)] variant in the XIAP gene for the first time in a case of XLP-2 associated with EBV-HLH. For male patients with severe EBV-HLH, the possibility of XLP should be considered and molecular genetic testing should be used early in auxiliary diagnosis. Reports of EBV-HLH with coronary artery dilation and AKI in children are rare. In the patients with EBV-HLH, color Doppler echocardiography and urine tests should be monitored regularly. If necessary, renal biopsy can be performed to clarify the pathology. Treatment with rituximab, immunosuppressors and supportive therapy achieved a good effect, but long-term follow-up is required.

Epstein-Barr virus infection as a predisposing factor for multiple sclerosis. An update from molecular biology, immunology and epidemiology

Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus is an infectious agent used to immortalize and induce polyclonal activation of B cells. It has been widely described that this virus produces changes in the cells it infects and in the immune response, and stimulates the development of autoimmune diseases.Objective: To characterize the association between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis described in current scientific literature.Materials and methods: A 59-years range literature search was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Redalyc and SciELO databases using the following MeSH terms: “Epstein-Barr virus, multiple sclerosis autoimmune diseases, autoimmune diseases of the nervous system”.Results: Many studies describe the association between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis. It is believed that acute infection and viral reactivation promote the development of multiple sclerosis.Conclusions: It is necessary to conduct further research on the pathogenesis and morphophysiological and neuroimmunological changes –at the ecological, molecular, cellular, tissue, organic and systemic level– induced by the immune response and that favor the development of multiple sclerosis.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy secondary to haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in HIV patients: a comprehensive review

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an immune dysregulation disorder with variable presentations and non-specific features making it extremely difficult to diagnose early in the clinical course. Here, we are presenting a case of a young man who presented in cardiogenic shock with findings of anterolateral wall ischaemia on ECG. Echocardiography findings were consistent with takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). Cardiac catheterisation showed clean coronary arteries and pulmonary artery pressure measurements showed high output cardiac failure. After extensive workup, the patient was diagnosed with HLH. In spite of aggressive supportive and definitive therapy, he eventually died due to a complicated clinical course. We did a comprehensive literature review and found that this is the first reported case of HLH presenting as TCM as the initial clinical manifestation.