Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
purulent pericarditis, characterised by frank pus collection
or microscopic pyogenic effusion in the pericardium
represents the most serious form of pericardial infection.
The route of MRSA acquisition in pericardial abscess
commonly occurs via the blood stream infection and it is
more commonly observed among immunocompromised
individuals. To date, diabetic foot ulcer infection rarely
disseminates and becomes a nidus for pericardial infection.
Herein, we report an unusual case of MRSA pericardial
abscess in a 44-year-old man who presented at Hospital Seri
Manjung, Malaysia with cardiac tamponade. Past medical
history indicated that he was recently treated for infected
diabetic foot ulcer with MRSA bacteraemia one week earlier.
Despite adequate pericardial drainage and extended
parenteral vancomycin therapy, this case ended in fatality on
day 42 of admission due to nosocomial infection. It is hoped
that this report serves to increase the vigilance among
clinicians that diabetic foot ulcer infections have the
potential to progress to pericardial abscess in the presence
of MRSA bacteraemia, although they may appear seemingly
innocuous at presentation. Systemic vancomycin must be
instituted promptly when MRSA bacteraemia is confirmed in
order to circumvent the propagation of MRSA.