Community-acquired MRSA pericarditis

Only 2 cases of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) pericarditis have been reported in the English literature. Over the last 15 years, CA-MRSA has emerged as an increasingly common pathogen that is genetically and epidemiologically different from hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA). our case, involving a 34-year-old African-American woman with pericarditis, highlights the emerging profile of CA-MRSA as a virulent bacterium with a predilection towards skin infections in young patients. Community-acquired MRSA infection is not traditionally associated with severe disease, but as its incidence continues to increase, this may change.