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Rapidly Developing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pericarditis and Pericardial Tamponade
Laith Ali1, Amre Ghazzal1, Tariq Sallam1
1Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Cureus
|June 13, 2020
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) caused a rare and life-threatening infection in a patient with AIDS. The patient successfully recovered from MRSA pericarditis and sepsis with conservative medical management.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pericarditis is a rare but severe infection.
- Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other comorbidities are at higher risk for invasive infections.
Observation:
- The patient presented with a neck abscess and sepsis, with drainage testing positive for MRSA.
- Complications included acute pericarditis and cardiac tamponade, with MRSA identified in pericardial fluid.
Findings:
- Initial treatment involved antibiotics, with vancomycin continued for MRSA pericarditis.
- Aspirin and colchicine were initiated for pericarditis management.
- Recurrent pericardial effusion occurred, but surgery was deemed too high-risk due to a low CD4 count (12).
Implications:
- This case highlights the successful conservative management of MRSA pericarditis and cardiac tamponade in an advanced AIDS patient.
- It underscores the importance of tailored treatment strategies in complex infectious and cardiovascular conditions.
- The successful outcome emphasizes the role of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents in managing severe pericardial infections when surgery is contraindicated.
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