title: Purulent pneumococcal pericarditis: a rarity in the antibiotic era.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this report is to show that even while properly treated, pneumococcal disease may proceed to a life-threatening condition including purulent pericarditis and multiple organ failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case-report describing one patient treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Helsinki University Central Hospital in March 2001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the antibiotic era, purulent pericarditis is an extremely rare yet possible condition complicating pneumococcal disease. Because of the growing incidence of penicillin resistance of this community-acquired pathogen, purulent pericarditis may become more common. Early detection and treatment of this otherwise fatal condition may lead to a good outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Hastabacka@hus.fi
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hästbacka
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kolho
authors.forename: Ville
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pettilä
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D013492:Suppuration; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents