[Cardiac tamponade and purulent pericarditis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae].

Purulent pericarditis is a rare entity in the modern antibiotic era. Despite advances in treatment and diagnostics, purulent pericarditis remains a life-threatening disease. We present a case with cardiac tamponade due to purulent pericarditis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. A 67 year-old woman was admitted with massive pericardial fluid. The patient was treated successfully with drainage and intravenous penicillin. Due to the high mortality of this disease, early diagnosis, aggressive pericardial drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential.