PROBABLE HISTOPLASMA PERICARDITIS WITH EFFUSION. REPORT OF A CASE WITH RECURRENCE.

Abstract

As Histoplasma capsulatum is capable of systemic dissemination, disease due to this agent may have protean manifestations including cardiovascular involvement. Such involvement has been reported as follows: pericardial calcification, 1-3 fibrocalcific pericarditis with constriction, 4 superior vena caval obstruction, 5 endocarditis, 6 electrocardiographic evidence of pericarditis with positive histoplasmin skin test, 7 and at least six cases of acute pericarditis with effusion. 5,8-12 The present report adds another case of acute pericarditis with effusion and recurrence probably due to H capsulatum. Report of Case A 17-year-old white man entered the University of Illinois Research and Educational Hospitals on April 8, 1960. On March 25 and March 26, I960, he had noted a mild sore throat without constitutional symptoms. At 5 am on March 27 he awakened with sharp, tight anterior chest pain accompanied by dyspnea and diaphoresis. After emergency admission to another hospital, he was treated with methylprednisolone, 4 mg t.i.d., symptomatic drugs for pain, and bed