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Pyopericardium due to group D streptococcus

K Karthikeyan1, K R Rajesh, H Poornima

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Vinayaka Mission Medical College, Salem - 636 308, India. skk_microbes@yahoo.co.in

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|January 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Beta-hemolytic Enterococcus faecalis caused pyopericardium in an immunocompetent patient. This first-time report details successful treatment with antibiotics and surgery, leading to full recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pyopericardium is a rare but serious condition involving pus accumulation in the pericardial sac.
  • Enterococcus faecalis is a common bacterium, typically associated with urinary tract infections and endocarditis.

Observation:

  • A beta-hemolytic strain of Enterococcus faecalis was identified in the pericardial fluid of a patient presenting with pyopericardium.
  • The patient was immunocompetent and also exhibited mild pleural effusion.

Findings:

  • The patient received a treatment regimen including parenteral co-amoxiclav and amikacin.
  • Surgical intervention, specifically pericardiectomy with repeated pericardial aspiration, was performed.
  • Complete recovery was achieved following the combined therapeutic approach.

Implications:

  • This case represents the first documented instance of pyopericardium caused by Enterococcus faecalis.
  • Highlights the potential for E. faecalis to cause uncommon infections in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Suggests that a combination of antibiotics and surgical drainage is effective for treating E. faecalis-induced pyopericardium.

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