Affiliations: Division of Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology, Saint
Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Terry L. Moore, M.D., Room 211A Doisy Hall, 1402
South Grand Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA. Tel.: +1 314 977 8838; Fax: +1
314 977 8818; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to cause infectious mononucleosis;
in addition, it is strongly associated with malignancies. Studies have also
demonstrated that EBV infection may trigger the development of systemic lupus
erythematosus. EBV infection has been implicated in complicating treatment of
juvenile idiopathic arthritis, in addition to triggering cytokine production.
Awareness of a past or present EBV infection has been highlighted as an
important factor in determining treatment options in several diseases. Repeated
associations have been described between EBV infection and various rheumatic
diseases and complications of rheumatic disease, including Kawasaki disease,
immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We
present a review of recent literature demonstrating the significance of EBV
infection in rheumatic diseases, and complications of rheumatic disease, in
children.
