title: Rhodococcus equi pericarditis in a patient living with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gundelly
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Malkanthie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Thein
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Myint
mesh_terms: D000193:Actinomycetales Infections; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D064704:Levofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010493:Pericarditis; D016929:Rhodococcus equi; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D064704:Levofloxacin; D017963:Azithromycin