Purulent Pericarditis Caused by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in a Patient With Autoinflammatory Polyserositis

Haemophilus influenzae is a rare cause of purulent pericarditis. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with known autoinflammatory disease who presented to a community hospital with chest pain and was found to have pericarditis, initially thought to be inflammatory. She subsequently developed a worsening effusion with tamponade physiology and was transferred to a tertiary care hospital, where she was treated with emergent pericardiocentesis. Purulent pericardial effusion and empyema were found. Cultures grew nontypeable H. influenzae . After treatment with antibiotics and creation of a pericardial window, she recovered fully. Although purulent pericarditis is uncommon, it should be considered in patients with pericarditis not responding to anti-inflammatory treatment, particularly in those who are immunocompromised.