A 52-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with complaints of shortness of breath and a sharp pain that radiates to her neck area each time she takes a breath. She reports that she feels more comfortable when sitting and leaning forward. An ECG reveals no acute changes. Physical examination reveals that the lungs are clear to auscultation, and there is a friction rub heard on cardiac examination. A chest x-ray is negative, and an electrocardiogram reveals no acute changes. An echocardiogram reveals a moderate pericardial effusion.
Which of the following is most likely causative agents of the patient's symptoms?
- A) Coxsackie virus
- B) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- C) Parvovirus B19
- D) Staphylococcus aureus
- E) Streptococcus viridans
Author(s)
Dr. Ted O'Connell
Editor(s)
Dr. Ted O'Connell
Last updated
Dec 29, 2023
