Amebic Pericarditis* T . K. Ganesan, M.D .,•• and S. Kandaswamy, M.D., F.C.C.P.t

Amebic pericarditis in a 40-year-old man who presented with insidious onset of symptoms is reported. Pericarditis is an infrequent complication of liver abscess and accounts for 4 percent of aU extraintestinal amebiasis. Communication between the left lobe of liver and pericardium has been demonstrated in this patienL

A 40-year-old man who presented with progressive

weakness, edema of the feet and breathlessness of two months' duration was found on investigation to have pericardia! effusion. Paracentesis revealed anchovy ~auce pus from which Entamoeba histolytica was grown in culture. Communication with left lobe of liver was established by contrast study. The gatient made an uneventful recovery on antiamebic treatment. CASE REPORT

This 40-year-old man was admitted into the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital on October 20, 1973 with progressive general weakness, edema of feet, breathlessness and vague chest pain of 20 days' duration. He gave a history of having had amebic dysentery five years earlier. On examination he wa~ afebrile, anemic, mildly jaundiced and had pedal edema. His face was puffy and the jugular venous pressure was raised. His pulse rate was regular, 82 per minute and blood pressure was 100/80. The apex beat could not be located and the heart sound were distant and feeble. There was a pleural friction rub audible in the left infra-axillary region. There was impairment of resonance and diminished air entry over the same area. The liver and spleen could not be palpated. X-ray examination of the chest done on October 20 1973 showed gross cardiomegaly with a globular shape and hazy left lower zone ( Fig 1 ). The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm, rate 100 per minute, small voltage QRS and flat T waves in all leads.

Laboratory Investigations There was a total white blood cell count of 8,600 with a differential count, P68, leukocytes, 30, and eosinophils, 2. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 41 mm per hour. Hemoglobin, 9 gm per

Amebic pericarditis.

Amebic pericarditis in a 40-year-old man who presented with insidious onset of symptoms is reported. Pericarditis is an infrequent complication of liv...
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