AN UNUSUAL CASE OF ACUTE PERICARDITIS

Meningococcal pericarditis in the absence of preceding meningococcal m eningitis or meningococcemia is very rarely reported. Men in their 30s are most commonly affected. Chest pain, fever, and shortness of breat h are the most frequently seen symptoms. Pericardial effusions that de velop early in the course of the illness are due to bacterial involvem ent of the pericardium. Late effusions are attributed to an inflammato ry response resulting from immune-complex deposition. Cardiac tamponad e can develop. The treatment of choice is high-dose, intravenous penic illin G. Deaths have not been reported.