Culture-negative group B streptococcal pericarditis: A case report and literature review of the diagnostic use of polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Although conventional microbiology cultures may be negative, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can effectively identify both typical and atypical microorganisms. With careful interpretation, PCR could become the gold-standard diagnostic test for culture-negative bacterial pericarditis.

Keywords: 16S rRNA; bacterial pericarditis; group B streptococci; pericardiostomy; polymerase chain reaction.