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Acute meningococcal pericarditis without meningitis
Archives of Internal Medicine
|February 1, 1975
Abstract:
Meningococcla pericarditis without evidence of meningitis of pericardial effusion in an 18-year-old man was cured following a ten-day course of orally administered ampicillin. Acute pericarditis resembling benign or viral pericarditis amy rarely be due to N meningitidis.
Insights
Neisseria meningitidis can cause acute pericarditis, even without meningitis. This case demonstrates successful treatment of meningococcal pericarditis with oral ampicillin.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) is a primary cause of bacterial meningitis.
- Meningococcal infections can rarely manifest as acute pericarditis without concurrent meningitis or significant pericardial effusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of meningococcal pericarditis successfully treated with oral ampicillin.
- To highlight the potential for N. meningitidis to cause isolated acute pericarditis.
Main Methods:
- A case study of an 18-year-old male presenting with symptoms of acute pericarditis.
- Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests to identify the causative agent.
- Treatment with a ten-day course of orally administered ampicillin.
Main Results:
- The patient recovered fully following the prescribed course of ampicillin.
- No evidence of meningitis or significant pericardial effusion was noted during the illness.
Conclusions:
- Acute pericarditis can be an unusual presentation of N. meningitidis infection.
- Oral ampicillin is an effective treatment for meningococcal pericarditis.