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11:04
Isolation of Valvular Endothelial Cells
Published on: December 29, 2010
Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Veillonella parvula
T W Boo1, B Cryan, A O'Donnell
1Department of Microbiology, University Hospital, Wilton Road, Cork, Ireland. twboo@eircom.net
The Journal of Infection
|December 18, 2004
Summary
Veillonella parvula prosthetic valve endocarditis is rare but serious. This case highlights cardiac failure, cerebral embolism, and successful treatment with valve replacement and metronidazole.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Veillonella species are anaerobic Gram-negative cocci, rarely implicated in infective endocarditis.
- Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) poses significant management challenges, often requiring surgical intervention.
Observation:
- A 49-year-old male presented with acute cardiac failure secondary to prosthetic valve dehiscence.
- The patient experienced neurological complications, including cortical blindness and limb paresis, attributed to cerebral embolism.
Findings:
- The causative agent was identified as Veillonella parvula, a rare pathogen in endocarditis.
- Successful management involved urgent prosthetic valve replacement surgery.
- A prolonged course of metronidazole was administered for antimicrobial therapy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare pathogens like Veillonella in PVE.
- Prompt surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic selection are crucial for favorable outcomes in complex endocarditis cases.
- Cerebral embolism is a significant complication of PVE, necessitating vigilant neurological monitoring.
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