STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS PERICARDIAL ABSCESS IN A CHILD WITH β-THALASSEMIA MAJOR FOLLOWING DOUBLE-UNIT UNRELATED CORD BLOOD TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

The authors describe a 10-year-old boy with β-thalassemia major who received double-unit unrelated cord blood transplantation and had a rocky post-transplantation course that included an episode of massive pericardial effusion. Pericardial tube drainage was performed for evacuating fluid. Results showed hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. A Staphylococcus aureus pericardial abscess eventually developed despite antibiotics coverage. Temporary drain placement was unsuccessful and the patient underwent radical pericardiectomy. Although cyclosporine therapy had to be stopped before the 6-month withdrawal, the patient did well with full donor chimerism 14 months post-transplant.

Keywords:

• cord blood transplantation
• β-thalassemia major
• Staphylococcus aureus pericardial abscess