Haemophilus influenzae purulent pericarditis in an immunocompetent individual

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-26-2021

Abstract

Purulent pericarditis is a rare bacterial illness in the post-antibiotic era that is defined as pericardial infection with gross or microscopic purulence in the pericardium. Common causes include nosocomial bloodstream infections, direct spread through thoracic surgery, or immunosuppression. We present a case of a 66-year-old male with a history of mantle cell lymphoma status post chemotherapy, completed about 4 years before presentation, in general, good health presented with acute typical chest pain associated with dyspnea on exertion. 12-lead EKG demonstrated ST elevations in anterolateral and lateral leads. Patient was initially being managed as Acute Coronary Syndrome, though, preliminary bedside echocardiogram demonstrated a large pericardial effusion with pretamponade physiology, which was confirmed with a STAT transthoracic echocardiogram. He underwent an emergent pericardial window which drained 350-400 ml of yellow murky pericardial fluid. Blood cultures and pericardial fluid cultures grew Haemophilus

Publication Title

J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect

Volume

11

Issue

1

First Page

96

Last Page

98

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