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Published on: October 31, 2019

Recurrent infective endocarditis with uncommon Gram-negative Pasteurella multocida and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a case

Nico Reinsch1, Björn Plicht, Alexander Lind

  • 1Department of Cardiology, West-German Heart Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. nico.reinsch@uk-essen.de

The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
|January 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Gram-negative bacterial endocarditis is rare but can be fatal. This case highlights recurrent Gram-negative endocarditis following a cat bite, emphasizing its complexity and poor prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Gram-negative bacteria is uncommon, accounting for less than 10% of cases.
  • Gram-negative IE presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, often associated with poor outcomes.

Observation:

  • A 66-year-old male with a history of mechanical aortic valve replacement developed IE due to Pasteurella multocida after a cat bite.
  • The patient subsequently experienced recurrent mitral and aortic valve endocarditis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Findings:

  • This unique case demonstrates recurrent Gram-negative IE in a patient with prosthetic valves.
  • Despite medical and surgical interventions, the recurrent IE proved fatal.

Implications:

  • Recurrent Gram-negative IE, even after valve replacement and treatment, remains a serious and often fatal condition.
  • This case underscores the need for vigilance and aggressive management strategies for Gram-negative IE, particularly in high-risk patients.

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