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Gemella morbillorum prosthetic valve endocarditis
M Obadah Al Chekakie1, Alain Heroux, Michelle Montpetit
1Department of Cardiology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. obadac@yahoo.com
Congestive Heart Failure (Greenwich, Conn.)
|November 21, 2009
Summary
This case report details prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Gemella morbillorum (GM), a rare bacterial agent. Early suspicion is crucial for patients with prosthetic valves experiencing heart failure symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (IE) poses significant clinical challenges.
- Gemella morbillorum (GM) is a slow-growing gram-positive coccus rarely implicated in IE.
Observation:
- A case of prosthetic valve IE caused by Gemella morbillorum is presented.
- This represents the third reported instance of GM prosthetic valve IE.
Findings:
- Gemella morbillorum can cause subacute to chronic infective endocarditis.
- Slow-growing organisms causing IE may present subtly.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider prosthetic valve IE in patients with worsening heart failure.
- Increased awareness of Gemella morbillorum as a causative agent is warranted for prosthetic valve endocarditis diagnosis and management.
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