title: Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: Serious infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in HIV-infected patients have been reported. Contributing factors in the development of invasive S aureus infections include a high rate of skin and nasal colonization, frequent dermatologic disease, and the use of intravenous catheters. The authors report three cases of S aureus pericarditis in HIV-infected patients. While cases of viral, mycobacterial, and malignant pericardial effusions in HIV-infected patients have been reported, a review of the literature disclosed only three cases of bacterial pericarditis. Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and drainage, a patient's condition may abruptly deteriorate and progress to tamponade. Early recognition of bacteremia and pericarditis and monitoring for cardiac tamponade, along with aggressive treatment, can result in a favorable outcome, but mortality remains high, particularly when S aureus is the causative agent.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: C U
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Tuazon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000382:microbiology; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus