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Published on: January 7, 2019

Haemophilus parainfluenzae mitral prosthetic valve endocarditis in an intravenous drug abuser

David Choi1, Marjorie Thermidor, Burke A Cunha

  • 1Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.

Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care
|March 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Haemophilus parainfluenzae, a slow-growing bacterium, rarely causes subacute bacterial endocarditis. This case highlights H. parainfluenzae endocarditis in a prosthetic mitral valve among an intravenous drug user.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Haemophilus species are uncommon causes of subacute bacterial endocarditis.
  • H. parainfluenzae, requiring growth factor V, is a slow-growing organism.
  • This slow growth contributes to its rarity as a cause of culture-negative endocarditis.

Observation:

  • A case of endocarditis in a 42-year-old intravenous drug abuser is presented.
  • The patient had a prosthetic mitral valve.
  • The causative agent identified was Haemophilus parainfluenzae.

Findings:

  • This is the first reported case of mitral prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by H. parainfluenzae in an intravenous drug abuser.
  • H. parainfluenzae, though infrequent, can cause significant cardiac infections.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering slow-growing organisms like H. parainfluenzae in culture-negative endocarditis, especially in at-risk populations.
  • Suggests potential challenges in diagnosing H. parainfluenzae endocarditis due to its slow growth.
  • Underscores the need for tailored diagnostic approaches and awareness among clinicians managing infective endocarditis.

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