Purulent Pericarditis Caused by Nocardia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract Background Pericarditis caused by Nocardia, a rare opportunistic disease marked by high mortality rates, is frequently misdiagnosed as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and bacterial infections. Case Presentation: We present a case of pericarditis caused by Nocardia in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS). The patient was misdiagnosed on several occasions and received inappropriate anti-tuberculosis treatment for MTB. When timely pericardial puncture and collection of pericardial effusions culture revealed the presence of Nocardia, the patient was started on appropriate antibiotic therapy, which resulted in a cure. Conclusions By reporting this case, we aim to enhance clinicians' awareness of the differential diagnosis of purulent pericarditis and the importance of sensitive antibiotic therapy to aid in the timely diagnosis and treatment of nocardial pericarditis. The previously reported cases of laboratory-confirmed nocardial pericarditis are also reviewed and summarized.