Which infectious disease is most commonly associated with constrictive pericarditis in the developing world?

Constrictive pericarditis is a condition where the pericardium becomes thickened and fibrotic, leading to impaired filling of the heart. In the context of the developing world, tuberculosis is the infectious disease most commonly associated with this condition.

The association stems from the global prevalence of tuberculosis and its ability to cause pericardial disease. When someone is infected with tuberculosis, it can spread to the pericardium either through direct extension from lung disease or hematogenous spread. This can lead to caseous necrosis and eventually fibrosis and thickening of the pericardium, resulting in constrictive pericarditis.

In regions with high rates of tuberculosis, it is a significant contributor to cardiac morbidity and was noted historically due to the prevalence of untreated and active TB infections. While other conditions, such as syphilis and HIV, can also lead to pericardial effusions and, in some cases, constrictive pericarditis, they are not as commonly associated with the condition as tuberculosis is in the developing world. Bacterial endocarditis might occasionally cause pericardial involvement, but it is less frequent and typically not a primary etiological factor for constrictive pericarditis compared