Salmonella enteritidis pericarditis: case report and review of the literature

Ann Ital Med Int. 2002 Jul-Sep;17(3):189-92.

Abstract

A 65-year-old male patient with primary idiopathic dermatomyositis and on regular immunosuppressive therapy was admitted to our Department for fever and dyspnea. A diagnosis of hemorrhagic Salmonella enteritidis pericarditis was made. Treatment necessitated aggressive medical/surgical supervision. A review of the pertinent literature revealed that during the last decade Salmonella enteritidis has been identified as the most frequent agent of pericarditis caused by Salmonella species apart from Salmonella typhi. This, possibly as a consequence of the widespread contamination of poultry foods by this Salmonella species and/or owing to a possible peculiar affinity of Salmonella enteritidis to the pericardium.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Azathioprine / adverse effects
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Dermatomyositis / complications
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / adverse effects
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Pericarditis / microbiology*
  • Salmonella Infections / microbiology*
  • Salmonella enteritidis / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azathioprine
  • Methylprednisolone