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Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
Group C streptococcal endocarditis
Saud I Ahmed1, Ria E Gripaldo, Oladipo A Alao
1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University at Harlem Hospital Center, New York, New York 10037, USA. saudiqbal200@yahoo.com
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|September 18, 2007
Summary
Group C Streptococcus, a bacterium common in animals, rarely infects humans. This case highlights severe group C Streptococcus endocarditis leading to endophthalmitis and pneumonia via septic embolization.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Group C Streptococcus (GCS) is a zoonotic pathogen typically found in domestic animals.
- While rare, GCS infections in humans can lead to severe outcomes with significant morbidity and mortality.
- Endocarditis is a serious infection of the heart's inner lining, often involving heart valves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of infective endocarditis caused by Group C Streptococcus.
- To describe the complications arising from GCS endocarditis, including septic embolization.
- To illustrate the clinical presentation and management of a severe GCS infection.
Main Methods:
- Case report presentation.
- Review of patient's clinical history, diagnostic findings, and treatment course.
- Microbiological identification of Group C Streptococcus.
Main Results:
- The patient developed Group C Streptococcus endocarditis affecting the mitral valve.
- Septic embolization from the infected mitral valve led to right-eye endophthalmitis.
- Further septic emboli resulted in the development of multilobar pneumonia.
Conclusions:
- Group C Streptococcus can cause severe endocarditis in humans, even with rare occurrences.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent devastating complications like endophthalmitis and pneumonia.
- This case underscores the importance of considering zoonotic pathogens in severe infections.
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