Changes

Exudates may occur in any of the major body cavities:

Exudates may occur in any of the major body cavities:

*In the '''abdomen''', there may be signs of abdominal pain (due to the underlying cause of the effusion), an abdominal fluid thrill or a palpable mass.

*In the '''abdomen''', there may be signs of abdominal pain (due to the underlying cause of the effusion), an abdominal fluid thrill or a palpable mass.

*In the '''chest''', a pleural effusion (including pyothorax) may tachypnoea and dyspnoea if severe. Dullness will be evident on thoracic percussion if a pleural effusion has developed and the heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation.

*In the '''chest''', a pleural effusion (including pyothorax) may cause tachypnoea and dyspnoea if severe. Dullness will be evident on thoracic percussion if a pleural effusion has developed and the heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation.

*'''Pericardial effusions''' may be sufficiently severe to cause '''cardiac tamponade''' and right-sided heart failure. The heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation and there may be hepatojugular reflux, a jugular pulse or signs of left-sided forward failure.  The exudate of a chronic septic pericarditis undergoes organisation and replacement with fibrous tissue which bridges the visceral and parietal pericardia.  This results in a '''restrictive pericarditis''' with clinical signs similar to cardiac tamponade.  Infections which penetrate deeply into the cardiac muscle may cause '''myocarditis''' with disruptions of the normal conduction pathways and resultant dysryhthmias.

*'''Pericardial effusions''' may be sufficiently severe to cause '''cardiac tamponade''' and right-sided heart failure. The heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation and there may be hepatojugular reflux, a jugular pulse or signs of left-sided forward failure.  The exudate of a chronic septic pericarditis undergoes organisation and replacement with fibrous tissue which bridges the visceral and parietal pericardia.  This results in a '''restrictive pericarditis''' with clinical signs similar to cardiac tamponade.  Infections which penetrate deeply into the cardiac muscle may cause '''myocarditis''' with disruptions of the normal conduction pathways and resultant dysryhthmias.

*Septic processes may be accompanied by more general signs of infection, including '''pyrexia''', depression, lethargy and anorexia.

*Septic processes may be accompanied by more general signs of infection, including '''pyrexia''', depression, lethargy and anorexia.