[Culture-negative, purulent pericarditis].
We report about a patient with purulent pericarditis due to Neisseria meningitidis pretreated with antibiotics. Clinical signs were suggestive of pericardial tamponade. Cultures from blood and pericardial aspirate remained negative. Broad-range polymerase chain reaction from pericardial fluid detected Neisseria sp.. Latex agglutination assay from pleural fluid showed positive reaction with meningococcal antigen serogroup C. Meningococcal pericarditis without meningitis is a rare manifestation. Non-culture based diagnostic methods in patients with such severe infections and negative cultures play an important role.
Klinik für Infektiologie & Spitalhygiene, Universitätsspital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Schweiz. vuichardd@uhbs.ch
D
D
Vuichard
M J
MJ
Zellweger
M
M
Altwegg
R
R
Frei
M
M
Weisser
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D038542:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000382:microbiology; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002437:Cefazolin