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[Eikenella corrodens infective endocarditis]
Juliano Novaes Cardoso1, Marcelo Eidi Ochiai, Múcio T Oliveira
1Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP, São Paulo, SP. julianonc@hotmail.com
Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|July 26, 2005
Summary
The HACEK group (Haemophilus spp, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella kingae) cause a small percentage of endocarditis cases. This report details a rare case of Eikenella corrodens endocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- The HACEK group comprises fastidious Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in the upper respiratory tract.
- These microorganisms are associated with a specific subset of infective endocarditis cases, representing approximately 3% of all instances.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to their slow growth and fastidious nature, often requiring prolonged incubation.
Observation:
- Endocarditis caused by HACEK organisms typically presents with insidious clinical symptoms.
- Microbiological cultures may yield negative results, complicating the diagnostic process.
- Eikenella corrodens, a member of the HACEK group, was first identified as an endocarditis agent in 1972.
Findings:
- This case report describes Eikenella corrodens infective endocarditis in a female patient with a native valve.
- Eikenella corrodens remains a rare etiological agent for infective endocarditis.
Implications:
- Understanding the unique characteristics of HACEK-related endocarditis is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare pathogens in the differential diagnosis of endocarditis, even with negative initial cultures.
- Further research into the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HACEK endocarditis is warranted.