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Infectious endocarditis after fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy. With a literature review
1Department of Gastroenterology, Marshfield Medical Center, Wisconsin.
Abstract:
Infectious endocarditis is a feared complication of procedures causing bacteremia. Gastrointestinal procedures cause bacteremia, but are seldom followed by infectious endocarditis. Of nine cases found in the English literature, only five have convincing evidence that endocarditis resulted from the gastrointestinal procedure. I present a new case of endocarditis due to Streptococcus sanguis type II after fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy.
Insights
Infectious endocarditis is a rare complication following gastrointestinal procedures. This case highlights Streptococcus sanguis type II endocarditis after fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy, emphasizing a potential link.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Infectious endocarditis is a serious condition often linked to bacteremia from medical procedures.
- Gastrointestinal procedures are known to cause bacteremia, but their association with infectious endocarditis is infrequent.
- Previous literature reports limited confirmed cases of endocarditis following gastrointestinal interventions.
Observation:
- A new case of infectious endocarditis is presented.
- The causative agent identified was Streptococcus sanguis type II.
- The predisposing event was a fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy procedure.
Findings:
- This case adds to the scarce evidence linking gastrointestinal procedures to infectious endocarditis.
- Streptococcus sanguis type II was confirmed as the pathogen responsible for the endocarditis.
- The temporal association suggests fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy as a potential trigger for bacteremia leading to endocarditis.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering infectious endocarditis in patients with bacteremia after gastrointestinal procedures.
- Suggests a need for further research into the risk factors and prevention strategies for endocarditis following such procedures.
- Underscores the diagnostic challenge in attributing endocarditis to specific gastrointestinal interventions.