Cardiovasc J Afr. 2026 May 8;37(2):173-178. doi: 10.5830/CVJA-2025-109. Epub 2026 May 8.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) affects greater than 95% of the global population, and when acquired at an early age, results in poor control of viral replication and increased risk to subsequent chronic illnesses.
OBJECTIVE: To analye the association between EBV and early cardiac dysfunction.
METHODS: A cross-sectional echocardiographic study on children, adolescent and young adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Eldoret, Kenya. We collected echocardiograms, viral copy levels, and inflammatory markers. We compared EBV-positive participants to EBV-negative participants.
RESULTS: The majority of patients with EBV copies detected were male, median (25-75%) age of 15 (11-19) years and did not have signs of early cardiac dysfunction. No significant differences were observed in cardiac function between individuals with detectable and undetectable EBV copies (p = 0.472; p = 0.6140; p = 0.382 respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: In this population of individuals, no significant difference in cardiac function between individuals with detectable and undetectable EBV copies was observed.
PMID:42347934 | DOI:10.5830/CVJA-2025-109