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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
09:34
Pneumococcus Infection of Primary Human Endothelial Cells in Constant Flow
Published on: October 31, 2019
[Pneumococcal endocarditis in a previously healthy 17-month-old boy]
M Murillo Vallés1, S Cañadas Palazón, P Domínguez Sampedro
1Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital Universitario Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, España.
Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|June 23, 2007
Summary
Invasive pneumococcal endocarditis is rare in healthy children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified Streptococcus pneumoniae when cultures were negative, aiding diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Invasive pneumococcal infection poses a significant health threat, with potential increases in incidence.
- Pneumococcal endocarditis is an infrequent manifestation, especially in pediatric patients lacking traditional risk factors.
Observation:
- A previously healthy, unvaccinated 17-month-old boy developed cardiorespiratory distress and a heart murmur during pneumonia treatment.
- Transthoracic echocardiography revealed mitral valve vegetation, leading to a diagnosis of endocarditis.
Findings:
- Despite negative blood cultures and initial antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition necessitated mitral valve replacement.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the pathological specimen confirmed Streptococcus pneumoniae as the causative agent.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering pneumococcal endocarditis in children, even without apparent risk factors.
- PCR serves as a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying pathogens when conventional cultures yield negative results in invasive infections.
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