Opportunistic Listeria pericardial effusion

Abstract

A case is described of pericardial effusion due to Listeria monocytogenes infection in a woman with advanced carcinoma of the cervix, rheumatoid arthritis and on corticosteroid therapy. Focal infection with listeria in immunocompromised adults has a high mortality unless promptly diagnosed. The correct diagnosis may have been made if an unexplained pericardial effusion had been tapped. © The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine, 1990.