Massive purulent pericarditis and cardiac tamponade caused by Staphylococcus aureus urosepsis. Case report.

We experienced a case of purulent pericarditis and cardiac tamponade in a patient who presented with acute respiratory failure and urosepsis and ultimately died of overwhelming septic shock. Pericardiocentesis yielded 1400 cc of pus; cultures grew only Staphylococcus aureus with sensitivities identical to the Staphylococcus aureus cultured from the patient's urine. Purulent pericarditis is rare and its association only with urosepsis has not been previously reported. The case is discussed and the literature reviewed.