Acute purulent pericarditis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in an intravenous drug abuser

Abstract

• BACKGROUND: Infections are among the most serious complications experienced by intravenous drug abusers. However, there have been rare reports of the cases with acute pericarditis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• CASE REPORT: In this study we reported a case of purulent pericarditis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in an intravenous drug abuser. The patient was completely treated by adequate surgical drainage and effective intravenous antibiotic therapy.
• DISCUSSION: Infections are among the major complications of drug use. Purulent pericarditis usually occurs as a complication of another illness, like surgical wound infection, mediastinal abscess, lung abscess, or severe sepsis. Aggressive surgical and medical treatments would thus be lifesaving.
• KEYWORDS: Pericarditis, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Intravenous Substance Abuse