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Purulent Pericarditis: Is It Really a Disease of the Past?

Laura Costa1, Diana Carvalho2, Elisabete Coelho1

  • 1Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Polivalente, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal.

European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
|August 11, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Purulent pericarditis, a rare bacterial infection, can arise from respiratory infections. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including antibiotics and drainage, are crucial for survival and preventing severe complications.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Purulent pericarditis is a rare but serious condition, often secondary to other infections.
  • Its incidence has decreased in the antibiotic era but remains a significant threat, especially in immunocompromised individuals or those with risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case of purulent pericarditis secondary to respiratory infection.
  • To review the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this rare entity.
  • To emphasize the importance of early recognition and intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Case report detailing a prolonged diagnostic and therapeutic course.
  • Analysis of pericardial fluid to identify causative agents (Streptococci and oral anaerobes).
  • Literature review on purulent pericarditis.

Main Results:

  • Identified Streptococci and oral anaerobes as causative agents in the presented case.
  • Highlighted the challenges in diagnosis due to unspecific signs and symptoms.
  • Described a complicated clinical course requiring intensive care unit admission.

Conclusions:

  • Pericardial effusion, especially with respiratory infection or risk factors, warrants suspicion for bacterial pericarditis.
  • Timely diagnosis and treatment, including pericardial drainage and systemic antibiotics, are critical.
  • Adequate source control and rapid intervention significantly impact patient prognosis, as untreated cases can be lethal.
Keywords:
Bacterial pericarditisacute mediastinitispericardiocentesissecondary pericarditis

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