[Cholesterol pneumopathy in children. Apropos of 3 cases. Possible role of chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection].

Three cases of cholesterol interstitial pneumonia in patients 3, 9 and 10 years of age respectively are reported. All three were born in Island of Reunion. Two were sisters. All had failure to thrive, dyspnea on rest and clubbing. Respiratory symptoms had appeared early in infancy. Open pulmonary biopsy was diagnostic. Prognosis was poor the boy dying at 4 years of age and severe respiratory insufficiency at 9 or 10 years in the two girls. Current etiological investigations were non contributory. However a profile of chronic infection with Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was found in each case while serological profiles ruled out infection with a virus of the herpes group virus (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex). The possible role of EBV as an etiological agent of cholesterol pneumonia is discussed and genetic or environmental factors as well.