Abstract: MRSA-Associated Acute Purulent Pericarditis: A Case Report.

Authors

Rilie B Curd, Muhammad Hasan, Mishka Ahmed

Published in

South Dakota medicine : the journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association. Volume 79. Issue suppl 5. Pages s26.

Abstract

Purulent pericarditis is a rare, but life-threatening condition occurring in roughly 27.7 cases of pericarditis per 100,000 population per year in developed countries. Gram positive cocci are the predominant causative pathogens with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species being the most common. Early recognition is essential in preventing complications such as cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and effusive-constitutive pericarditis. Despite appropriate medical management including both drainage and antibiotics, mortality rates remain elevated and approximately 50% of cases are diagnosed postmortem.
An 84-year-old male with a history of myelodysplastic syndrome, permanent atrial fibrillation and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction presented to the emergency department with sharp, left-sided chest pain radiating to the right shoulder, worsened by inspiration. A computed tomography angiogram performed to evaluate for pulmonary embolisms revealed a large pericardial effusion. Electrocardiogram (EKG) demonstrated low-voltage tachycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large circumferential pericardial effusion with fibrinous strands. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis with drainage of 450 cc of purulent fluid, followed by placement of a pericardial drain. Fluid analysis revealed a pH of 6.9 and 15,095 nucleated cells/μL with 89% neutrophils. Pericardial fluid and blood cultures were positive for MRSA. The patient was initiated on intravenous vancomycin and transesophageal echocardiography was negative for infective endocarditis. He was subsequently transitioned to daptomycin to complete a four-week course of antibiotics. Repeat blood cultures were negative.
This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges and management considerations for MRSA-associated purulent pericarditis in a frail host. Early echocardiography and pericardiocentesis are critical in management. Despite source control and target antibiotics, mortality remains high in frail hosts.

PMID:
42525989
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Jul 2026.

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