Simultaneous purulent pericarditis and acute epiglottitis from Haemophilus influenzae in an immunocompetent adult: a case report.

OBJECTIVES

Haemophilus influenzae can cause severe and invasive disease. While purulent pericarditis and epiglottitis are known to be rare complications of Haemophilus influenzae, we report a rare case of their simultaneous occurrence.

METHODS

We report a 70-year-old female who presented with a sore throat and dyspnea to the emergency department, was found to have epiglottitis, and then rapidly deteriorated, developing shock and acute respiratory failure. A point-of-care ultrasound was performed, revealing a pericardial effusion with tamponade.

RESULTS

Emergent pericardiocentesis yielded purulent fluid, and subsequent blood cultures grew Haemophilus influenzae.

CONCLUSION

In patients with Haemophilus influenzae infection, pericardial effusion can be a highly morbid complication of upper respiratory disease requiring urgent management.