CYTOMEGALOVIRUS PERICARDITIS - A CASE SERIES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) commonly infects both normal and immunocompromis ed hosts. Although it usually produces an asymptomatic infection to mi ld illness, CMV has the potential to significantly injure many differe nt organs. Reports of CMV causing pericardial disease, however, are li mited and documentation of infection by growth of the virus from tissu e or fluid is rare. As part of a prospective trial of subxiphoid peric ardial biopsy in 57 adult patients with large pericardial effusions, t hree culture-proven cases and one serologically confirmed case of CMV pericardial disease were discovered. Subsequently, CMV was grown from the pericardium of an infant with congenital heart disease. A review o f the documented cases of CMV pericarditis is provided along with a di scussion of the pathogenesis and significance of this perhaps not so u ncommon disease.