Cardiac complications and immunophenotypic profile of infectious mononucleosis syndrome in children.
Title | Cardiac complications and immunophenotypic profile of infectious mononucleosis syndrome in children. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2012 |
Authors | Papadopoulou-Legbelou, K., Papadopoulou-Alataki E., Fleva A., Spanou S., Pavlitou A., & Varlamis G. |
Journal | Indian Pediatr |
Volume | 49 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 195-8 |
Date Published | 2012 Mar |
ISSN | 0974-7559 |
Keywords | CD4-CD8 Ratio, Child, Child, Preschool, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Heart Diseases, Humans, Immunophenotyping, Infant, Infectious Mononucleosis, Male, Pericardial Effusion |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To investigate cardiac complications in infectious mononucleosis patients and to associate them with biochemical and immunological parameters, as well as with spleen ultrasound findings.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with follow-up.SETTING: Tertiary care pediatric unit, in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece.PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Twenty-five children (15 boys, aged 1-11.6 years) suffering from infectious mononucleosis were studied during the acute phase and after 3-6 months. Cardiac evaluation comprised of electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and measurement of creatine phosphokinase, creatine phosphokinase cardiac isoenzyme, and troponin levels. Biochemical and immunological tests included serum transaminases, serum amylase, CD3+/CD8+ T-lymphocytes subpopulation and CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocytes ratio.RESULTS: During acute phase, all children had splenomegaly and normal serum amylase values. 17 patients had elevated serum transaminases. Percentages of CD3+/CD8+ T-lymphocytes subpopulation were elevated and CD4+/CD8+ ratio was decreased in all patients. Echocardiography revealed mild pericardial effusion in 13 patients (10/21 with Epstein-Barr infection, 3/4 with cytomegalovirus infection), but none presented with myocarditis. Four out of these 13 patients also had markedly elevated liver enzymes, 10/13 had significant splenomegaly and 12/13 presented very low CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocytes ratio. Pericardial effusion demonstrated a statistically significant association solely with very low CD4+/CD8+ T-lymphocytes ratio (<0.5). Repetition of laboratory tests 3-6 months post-discharge detected persistent mild pericardial effusion in five patients, along with decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio in 1/5.CONCLUSIONS: In infectious mononucleosis syndrome, asymptomatic pericardial effusion could be associated with very low CD4+/CD8+ ratio (<0.5). Further studies would extend and confirm such an association. |
DOI | 10.1007/s13312-012-0059-8 |
Alternate Journal | Indian Pediatr |
PubMed ID | 21992856 |