Pericarditis - bacterial

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Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Pericardium

Bacterial pericarditis

Pericarditis - bacterial

Definition:

Bacterial pericarditis is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium), caused by a bacterial infection.

Alternative Names:
Purulent pericarditis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Bacterial infections are one cause of pericarditis. Since the advent of antibiotics, bacterial pericarditis has become relatively rare.

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It most often occurs in men between the ages of 20 and 50, usually after some type of respiratory infection. It can also occur after skin or oral infections that produce bacteremia (bacterial infection of the blood) and after heart surgery.

The bacterial infection causes inflammation of the pericardium. Pain occurs as a result of the inflamed pericardium rubbing against the heart. Fluid may accumulate in the pericardial sac.

The most common organisms that cause this condition are staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, hemophilus influenza (also called H.flu), and meningococci.