Rhodococcus equi pericarditis in a patient living with HIV/AIDS.
BACKGROUND
Rhodococcus equi, previously called Corynebacterium equi, is known to cause pneumonia in foals and swine. Although it was known to cause infection rarely in humans, R equi infection in humans has increased with the advent of HIV and increased use of immunosuppressants.


METHODS
We report a case of a 48-year-old male patient with newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS presenting with recurrent R equi bacteremia, pericardial effusion, and pericardial cyst. The infection was treated with drainage of the pericardial effusion and cyst and 2 weeks of intravenous vancomycin and 6 months of oral azithromycin and levofloxacin.


CONCLUSIONS
Rhodococcus equi causes pericarditis and pericardial effusion. It can be effectively treated with debridement, drainage, and a prolonged course of antibiotics. In vitro antibiotic susceptibility should be checked as resistance to antibiotics can develop, especially if drainage is inadequate.
Praveen
P
Gundelly
Alice
A
Thornton
Richard N
RN
Greenberg
Malkanthie
M
McCormick
Thein
T
Myint
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016929:Rhodococcus equi