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Published on: February 23, 2014
Purulent pneumococcal pericarditis: a rarity in the antibiotic era
Johanna Hästbacka1, Elina Kolho, Ville Pettilä
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Hastabacka@hus.fi
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to show that even while properly treated, pneumococcal disease may proceed to a life-threatening condition including purulent pericarditis and multiple organ failure.
Patients And Methods:
This is a case-report describing one patient treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Helsinki University Central Hospital in March 2001.
Conclusions:
In the antibiotic era, purulent pericarditis is an extremely rare yet possible condition complicating pneumococcal disease. Because of the growing incidence of penicillin resistance of this community-acquired pathogen, purulent pericarditis may become more common. Early detection and treatment of this otherwise fatal condition may lead to a good outcome.
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