Persistent (chronic active) Epstein-Barr virus infection and arthritis in childhood
Schuchmann, L.; Neumann-Haefelin, D.
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde 133(11): 845-847
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-9298 PMID: 3001512 Document Number: 258062
Between 1981 und 1983 some 1300 patients with the primary diagnosis of juvenile chronic arthritis were admitted. In 9 of them a persistent EBV-infection was simultaneously evident. The course of disease was primarily systemic with the characteristic criteria: high septic intermittent fever, rheumatic exanthema, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. It is still unclear whether a replication of virus in the synovia or a precipiation of immune complexes is involved. A common cause for the persistent EBV-infection and arthritis via an immune-suppressive agent is possible.