A Case of Pericarditis and Pericardial Masses Associated With Mycobacterium Paragordonae

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a common cause of pericarditis worldwide and has been associated with pericardial masses. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria are uncommonly associated with cardiac disease, having primarily been described in cases of endocarditis. Here we describe a case of an immunocompetent patient with Mycobacterium paragordonae infection causing pericarditis with a large effusion containing pericardial masses. The patient presented with chest pain, hypoxia and biochemical evidence of inflammation (CRP 216.1 mg/L). This report illustrates a rare case of pericarditis with pericardial masses associated with non-tuberculous mycobacteria and the first example of pericarditis associated with M. paragordonae.