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Opportunistic Listeria pericardial effusion
A M Crellin1, D S Shareef, E J Maher
1Regional Centre for Radiotherapy and Oncology, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex, UK.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes infection caused a pericardial effusion in an immunocompromised patient. Prompt diagnosis via pericardial fluid analysis is crucial for survival in such cases.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk for severe Listeria infections.
- Pericardial effusion can be a rare manifestation of systemic infections.
Observation:
- A case of pericardial effusion in a patient with advanced cervical cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and corticosteroid therapy is presented.
- The patient had an unexplained pericardial effusion.
- The effusion was ultimately attributed to Listeria monocytogenes infection.
Findings:
- Listeria monocytogenes infection can lead to pericardial effusion.
- Focal Listeria infections in immunocompromised adults carry a high mortality rate.
- Delayed diagnosis of Listeria infection can have severe consequences.
Implications:
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment of Listeria infections are critical in immunocompromised patients.
- Diagnostic pericardiocentesis should be considered in unexplained pericardial effusions, especially in at-risk populations.
- This case highlights the importance of considering infectious etiologies in patients with complex medical histories and new clinical presentations.