Detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in cardiac and aortic tissues from chronic, active Epstein-Barr virus infection associated with Kawasaki disease-like coronary artery aneurysms.

We describe three patients with chronic, active Epstein-Barr virus infection associated with Kawasaki disease-like coronary artery aneurysms. The Epstein-Barr virus genome was detected in three cardiac tissue samples and one aortic tissue sample examined by means of the polymerase chain reaction. These findings suggest that chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection may play a pathogenic role in the development of coronary artery aneurysms.