Corynebacterium minutissimum endocarditis: a case report and review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Infectious endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection affecting heart valves.
• Native valve endocarditis, while less common than prosthetic valve IE, presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• Corynebacterium species are increasingly recognized as potential pathogens in IE, though often associated with specific risk factors.

Observation:

• A 40-year-old male presented with symptoms suggestive of endocarditis.
• The causative agent identified was Corynebacterium minutissimum, a rare bacterium implicated in native valve endocarditis.
• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was crucial in establishing the diagnosis, visualizing vegetations on the native valve.

Findings:

• Successful management of native valve endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum.
• The patient received targeted antibiotic therapy, leading to a favorable clinical outcome.
• This case highlights the importance of considering unusual pathogens in IE and utilizing advanced imaging techniques.

Implications:

• This case expands the spectrum of pathogens known to cause infectious endocarditis.
• It underscores the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosing complex IE cases.
• Successful antibiotic management provides a therapeutic reference for similar rare infections.