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Cardiology Research

Case Report

Volume 10, Number 5, October 2019, pages 309-311

Purulent Pericarditis Caused by Bacteroides fragilis: A Rare Complication of Cholangitis

Pericarditis involves inflammation of the pericardium and viral infections are typically the most common cause. However, about 1% of cases are due to a bacterial infection and carry a poor prognosis if untreated [1]. The etiology of the infection may be hematogenous or extension from a contiguous source. The bacteria identified most commonly are Staphylococcus aureus but can also include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza and Neisseria meningitides [2]. Patients can present acutely ill and fever is a common sign. Early diagnosis with pericardial fluid sampling can lead to appropriate therapy and avoid adverse outcomes. We describe a rare case of a patient who presented with pericarditis and pericardial effusion secondary to a sub-diaphragmatic infection due to Bacteroides fragilis.

An 89-year-old female with a history of cholangitis 4 months prior to arrival presented with anorexia and confusion for 3 days. Her vital signs included a blood pressure of 94/56 mm Hg, a pulse that was irregularly irregular at 144 beats per minute and a temperature of 100.8 °F (38.2 °C). On physical exam, the patient was toxic-appearing with jugular vein distention and distant heart sounds on auscultation. The patient’s clinical condition worsened, and she developed septic shock. Her blood work revealed a leukocyte count of 26,000/µL, creatinine of 2.6 mg/dL and lactic acid of 6.2 mmol/L. Electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. The patient’s chest X-ray revealed cardiomegaly. She was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. She was started on vasopressor medications and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. An emergent bedside transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large pericardial effusion with evidence of right ventricular collapse. Emergent pericardiocentesis was performed with drainage of 700 mL of yellowish fluid. Subsequent cultures of the pericardial fluid isolated B. fragilis. Antibiotics were adjusted to ceftriaxone and metronidazole based on the culture sensitivities. After 48 h of admission, a computerized tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast revealed a liver abscess with a fistulous tract reaching the pericardium (Fig. 1). The patient declined drainage of the liver abscess. She received 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy with resolution of her pericarditis and was subsequently discharged to a skilled nursing facility.

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Figure 1. (a) Coronal and (b) axial views of a computed tomography (CT) scan reveal a rim-enhancing lesion in the left lobe of the liver in close contact with a multi-loculated pericardial abscess.

Purulent pericarditis is a rare condition with multiple etiologies described in the literature. Historically, pneumonia was cited to be the most common source, but this has significantly decreased in the post-antibiotic era [3]. The organisms associated with pericarditis have also changed over the years. Anaerobic bacteria present a challenge due to the difficulty in isolating organisms as well as its increased resistance to antibiotics. This makes determining the true incidence of infection by anaerobic bacteria difficult. Several reports have documented contiguous or hematogenous spread of anaerobic organisms leading to pericarditis [4]. B. fragilis was one of the common anaerobes isolated in these cases. Bacteroides species are part of the normal flora of the human intestine and cohabits this location with other bacteria without frequent pathogenicity [5]. However, significant infections can occur when the bacterium is displaced outside of the intestines and into the surrounding tissue or bloodstream. An abscess caused by Bacteroides species is prone to rupture leading to bacteremia and systemic infection [6, 7].

Our patient likely developed ascending cholangitis due to B. fragilis translocation from the intestine to the biliary tract. The cholangitis led to a pyogenic liver abscess which, through a diaphragmatic extension, subsequently caused a purulent pericardial effusion and tamponade. There are few reports of subdiaphragmatic extension from a liver abscess causing purulent pericarditis. The organisms isolated in those cases included bacteria such as Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus epidermidis [8-11]. To our knowledge, this is one of the first reported cases of suspected B. fragilis liver abscess causing a purulent pericarditis. Due to the high mortality and variable nature of this condition, we believe that this case offers an opportunity for clinicians to become aware of its existence.

The mainstay of treatment for purulent pericarditis is adequate fluid drainage and tailored antibiotic therapy. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary as cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis are common complications of purulent pericarditis [12]. The mortality rate is estimated to be around 20-30% [13]. Pericardiocentesis or pericardiotomy is indicated if there is evidence of tamponade or a high clinical suspicion of purulent pericarditis. Intrapericardial thrombolysis is an option in cases where loculated fluid is present or when prevention of constrictive pericarditis is needed [13].

Purulent pericarditis is a rare diagnosis that carries a high morbidity and mortality if untreated. The clinical presentation can be atypical and definitive diagnosis involves prompt sampling of the pericardial fluid. Aerobic bacteria such as S. aureus are commonly isolated but anaerobic bacteria such as B. fragilis can also be present and should warrant suspicion of an intra-abdominal source. Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy and surgical management may be warranted for refractory cases.

Acknowledgments

None to declare.

Financial Disclosure

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

The authors provided and received informed consent from the patient for the writing and reproduction of this case report.

Author Contributions

JS and SS presented the idea and assisted in the design of the report. SS, PO and AU performed literature review, designed and co-wrote the report. NM and JL provided mentorship and revision of the report.

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