Propionibacterium acnes endocarditis of a prosthetic aortic valve

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Richard J List1, Nabeel Sheikh, Thomas Theologou

  • 1Cardiology Department, Nottingham City Hospital, Trent Cardiac Centre, Nottingham, UK. richlist@gmail.com

Clinical Cardiology
|May 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes infective endocarditis is rare in patients with prosthetic aortic valves. This case highlights successful treatment with antibiotics and valve replacement for aortic root abscess.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Surgical Innovation

Background:

  • Propionibacterium infective endocarditis (PIE) is an uncommon but serious complication, particularly in patients with prosthetic heart valves.
  • Abscess formation is a frequent challenge in PIE involving prosthetic aortic valves, often necessitating surgical intervention.

Observation:

  • A case of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) infective endocarditis was diagnosed in a patient with a Starr-Edwards prosthetic aortic valve.
  • The infection presented with an aortic root abscess, identified through prolonged blood cultures.

Findings:

  • The patient received a combination of intravenous antibiotics and surgical valve replacement.
  • This therapeutic approach resulted in the successful recovery of the patient.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering P. acnes in the differential diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis, especially with abscess formation.
  • Prompt diagnosis and combined medical-surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes in complex cases of PIE.
  • Further research into optimal treatment strategies for P. acnes endocarditis with prosthetic valves is warranted.

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