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Corynebacterium jeikeium endocarditis: a systematic overview spanning four decades.
F Mookadam1, M Cikes, L M Baddour
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, E Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 13400, USA. mookadam.farouk@mayo.edu
Summary
Corynebacterium jeikeium is a rare cause of infective endocarditis, often affecting prosthetic heart valves. This multidrug-resistant organism has a 33% mortality rate, necessitating clinical awareness.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Skin flora are a significant source of infective endocarditis pathogens.
- While Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are common, other skin flora, like Corynebacterium jeikeium, rarely cause endocardial infections.
Observation:
- Corynebacterium jeikeium, a multidrug-resistant, gram-positive aerobe, is known to cause prosthetic valve infections.
- A review of 38 reported cases (1966-2004) revealed C. jeikeium endocarditis predominantly affects prosthetic heart valves (74%).
- All patients had predisposing conditions for infective endocarditis.
Findings:
- The mortality rate for Corynebacterium jeikeium endocarditis was 33%.
- Valve replacement surgery did not significantly alter the mortality rate.
- C. jeikeium is a rare but serious cause of endocarditis, particularly in patients with prosthetic valves.
Implications:
- Clinicians must maintain high suspicion for C. jeikeium endocarditis in patients with prosthetic valves presenting with positive blood cultures.
- Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial due to the organism's multidrug resistance and associated high mortality.
- Further research into optimal treatment strategies for C. jeikeium endocarditis is warranted.