Related Experiment Videos
Anaerobic pericarditis: case report and review
D J Skiest1, D Steiner, M Werner
1Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington.
Summary
Purulent pericarditis is rare, especially from anaerobic bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis. Prompt diagnosis, surgical drainage, and targeted antibiotics are crucial for treating this serious infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Purulent pericarditis is an uncommon condition.
- Anaerobic bacteria are rarely identified as causative agents.
Observation:
- A case of purulent pericarditis caused by Bacteroides fragilis, likely from a ruptured appendix, is presented.
- A literature review identified 29 additional cases of anaerobic pericarditis.
Findings:
- Bacteroides fragilis was the causative agent in the presented case.
- In reviewed cases, anaerobic bacteria were isolated alone or with other bacteria.
- Infections often originated from contiguous sites or hematogenous spread.
Implications:
- Effective treatment requires pericardial fluid drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy.
- Identifying the source of infection is essential for successful management.
- This highlights the importance of considering anaerobic pathogens in purulent pericarditis.