From the Guidelines
Among the viruses listed, Coxsackie virus is most likely to cause pericarditis, as it is one of the most common causes of viral pericarditis, particularly during seasonal epidemics 1. The diagnosis of viral pericarditis is not possible without the evaluation of pericardial effusion and/or pericardial/epicardial tissue, preferably by PCR or in-situ hybridisation 1. Some key points to consider when evaluating the likelihood of pericarditis caused by the listed viruses include:
- Influenza virus can cause pericarditis, but it is not as commonly associated with this condition as Coxsackie virus 1
- Paramyxovirus, which includes measles and mumps viruses, is not typically associated with pericarditis 1
- Coronavirus is not mentioned as a common cause of pericarditis in the provided evidence 1
- Togavirus is not mentioned in the provided evidence as a cause of pericarditis 1 Treatment of viral pericarditis, such as that caused by Coxsackie virus, is directed to resolve symptoms, prevent complications, and eradicate the virus, and may include specific antiviral treatments 1.
From the Research
Virus Causing Pericarditis
The most likely virus to cause pericarditis among the given options is the coronavirus. This is based on several studies that have reported cases of pericarditis in patients with COVID-19, a disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Key Findings
- Pericarditis has been reported as a common extrapulmonary manifestation of COVID-19 2.
- The incidence of pericarditis is more common in males, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 2.
- Symptoms of pericarditis in COVID-19 patients include chest pain, fever, shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, myalgia, and diarrhea 2, 4.
- Laboratory tests have revealed leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance, elevated D-dimer, erythrocyte rate, and C-reactive protein in patients with COVID-19 pericarditis 2.
- Treatment with colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids has been effective in managing pericarditis in COVID-19 patients 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Comparison with Other Viruses
There is limited evidence to suggest that influenza (flu) virus, paramyxovirus, or Togavirus are commonly associated with pericarditis. While these viruses can cause various respiratory and systemic illnesses, the current evidence does not support a strong link between these viruses and pericarditis 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.