title: Diagnosis of pneumococcal pericarditis using antigen testing and polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: Following the advent of antibiotics, pneumococcal pericarditis has become a rare clinical diagnosis. We discuss 2 cases of pneumococcal pericarditis that were preceded by community-acquired pneumonia. Cultures were negative in both patients and the diagnosis was made by antigen testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the pericardial fluid. PCR or antigen testing of pericardial fluid for pneumococci should be considered in patients with a typical history, particularly when culture-negative and with a history of prior antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Golden Jubilee Hospital, Clydebank, Glasgow, Scotland. Teresa.Inkster@nhs.net
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inkster
authors.forename: Nitish
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diggle
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sonecki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000382:microbiology; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial