Purulent pericarditis in the antibiotic era.

Abstract

In this review of 20 cases of purulent pericarditis, we emphasize that aerobic Gramnegative bacillary and anaerobic pericarditis are being recognized more frequently than previously. This fact should be taken into consideration in reviewing Gram-stained material and in selecting an appropriate antibacterial regimen in cases of purulent pericarditis. Furthermore, survival may be related to the type of organism causing the infection. When Gram-negative bacilli were present, prognosis was quite poor, while when pneumococci, staphylococci, or anaerobic organisms were isolated from patients in whom a clinical diagnosis was made, the prognosis was better.