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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Published on: October 19, 2015

[Does yoghurt gnaw at cardiac valves?].

F Noti¹, S Zimmerli, S Goerre

¹Universitätsklinik für Kardiologie, Inselspital Bern.

|May 9, 2009

Summary

A dental procedure led to infective endocarditis caused by Lactobacillus in a young man. This case highlights the limitations of antibiotic prophylaxis and discusses new guidelines and potential risks from probiotics.

Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
Cardiology
Microbiology

Background:

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection of the heart's inner lining, often affecting heart valves.
Aortic valve disease predisposes individuals to IE, particularly after invasive procedures.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended to prevent IE in high-risk patients undergoing certain dental procedures.

Observation:

A 22-year-old male with pre-existing aortic valve disease developed acute Lactobacillus endocarditis six weeks post-dental procedure.
Despite receiving adequate antibiotic prophylaxis according to guidelines effective until 2008, the patient contracted IE.
Lactobacillus, a probiotic bacterium, was identified as the causative agent of the endocarditis.

Findings:

The case demonstrates that standard antibiotic prophylaxis may not always be sufficient to prevent IE in all at-risk individuals.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Published on: October 19, 2015

Updated guidelines for IE prophylaxis, implemented after 2008, aim to improve prevention strategies.

Lactobacillus endocarditis presents a unique challenge, requiring specific treatment approaches.

Implications:

This case underscores the evolving landscape of IE prevention and treatment, necessitating a review of current prophylactic regimens.
The increasing consumption of Lactobacillus-containing dairy products and probiotics may pose potential health risks, especially for immunocompromised individuals.
Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenicity of Lactobacillus in IE and to refine preventive measures, particularly in the context of widespread probiotic use.