Purulent pericarditis as a complication of bacteraemic Enterococcus faecalis urinary tract infection

Purulent pericarditis is a rare clinical entity in the modern antibiotic era. The most common portal of entry is thought to be direct extension from a primary lung source and is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. We report the case of a man aged 69 years who presented with purulent pericarditis due to Enterococcus faecalis likely caused by haematogenous spread from a urinary tract source. Urgent pericardiocentesis was vital and restored his haemodynamic stability. He was treated for a total duration of 4 weeks with susceptible antibiotics. Echocardiography 3 weeks later showed persistent resolution of the pericardial effusion. This case shows that prompt diagnosis and drainage of the pericardial effusion are vital to achieve a positive outcome in purulent pericarditis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of purulent pericarditis caused by E. faecalis from a urinary tract source.

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