Epstein Barr Virus Infection Induced Suspected Acute Myocarditis in COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Epstein Barr Virus infection (EBV) could be associated with cardiovascular disease, including myocarditis. We informed a case of EBV infection presenting initially as myocarditis, followed 5 days later by the typical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. Case Presentation: A 19-year-old man with persistent retrosternal chest pain was admitted to the emergency department. On physical examination, the patient had sub-febrile fever (37.2°C) and palpable cervical lymphadenopathy, with no hepatosplenomegaly. Initial ECG has repolarization abnormalities in leads II, aVF and III. Laboratory testing revealed elevated cardiac enzymes and liver enzymes (high sensitive troponin I levels 3000 ng/mL, aspartate transaminase 158 U/L, alanine transaminase 100 U/L). Blood white cells were 10,500 μL, platelet level were low 98,000 (thrombocytopenia), and lenfo-monocytosis in complete blood count. We hospitalized the patients the intensive coronary unit (ICU) because of high troponin levels. We recognized hypokinesia of the posterolateral wall of the left ventricle with mild impaired systolic function and increased perimyocardial brightness by echocardiography. Antibody serology tests showed that the anti-EBV capsid antigen IgM (EBV-VCA) was positive, EBV-VCA) IgG was negative. Other etiologies were excluded. Therefore, the patient was referred to cardiac positron emission tomography due to technic problems of magnetic resonance imaging device. We documented in positron emission tomography imaging that increased 18F-FDG uptake on posterior and posterolateral walls of left ventricle (indicating a large jeopardized area). We diagnosed suspected diagnosis of myocarditis without associated pericarditis. We monitored the patient and gave beta blocker, and aldosterone antagonists. Complications in the intensive care unit not occurred. We discharged patients after one week. After three weeks, we re-evaluated the patient. We not observed wall segment motion abnormality on echocardiography and liver tests were near normal. Conclusion: In suspected EBV myocarditis, 18F-FDG PET-CT cardiac positron emission tomography imaging represents an interesting noninvasive imaging technique to identify inflammatory processes in acute myocarditis and can be considered in patients with contraindications/unavailable to cardiac magnetic resonance.