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Propionibacterium acnes endocarditis in a native valve complicated by intraventricular abscess: a case report and

A H Mohsen1, A Price, E Ridgway

  • 1Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. abdu.mohsen@csuh.nhs.uk

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 7, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes, a common skin bacterium, can cause rare but severe native valve endocarditis. This case highlights aggressive P. acnes infection leading to aortic valve endocarditis and abscess in a healthy adult.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a commensal bacterium of human skin flora.
  • P. acnes endocarditis is exceptionally rare, with most reported cases involving prosthetic valves.
  • Native valve endocarditis caused by P. acnes is seldom documented.

Observation:

  • A case of aggressive P. acnes endocarditis is presented in a previously healthy 36-year-old male.
  • The infection targeted a native aortic valve, a highly unusual presentation.
  • The patient developed a complicated aortic root abscess secondary to the endocarditis.

Findings:

  • The study details a rare instance of P. acnes causing severe native aortic valve endocarditis.
  • The aggressive nature of the infection led to significant cardiac complications, including an aortic root abscess.
  • Literature review supports the rarity of P. acnes native valve endocarditis.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for P. acnes to cause severe native valve endocarditis, even in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Increased clinical awareness may be warranted for P. acnes in cases of culture-negative or unusual endocarditis.
  • Further research into the pathogenicity of P. acnes in cardiac infections is suggested.

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