Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

Pyogenic ventriculitis complicating Aggregatibacter aphrophilus infective endocarditis: A case report and literature

Gordon W Jung1, Michael D Parkins, Deirdre Church

  • 1Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry;

The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology = Journal Canadien Des Maladies Infectieuses Et De La Microbiologie Medicale
|September 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pyogenic ventriculitis, a rare complication of infective endocarditis, can be fatal. This case highlights Aggregatibacter aphrophilus endocarditis leading to brain abscess and ventriculitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Pyogenic ventriculitis (PV) is a severe inflammation of the ventricular ependymal lining, often fatal.
  • PV is infrequently reported as a secondary complication of infective endocarditis.
  • Aggregatibacter aphrophilus is a rare causative agent of infective endocarditis.

Observation:

  • This study details a fatal case of a 42-year-old woman with infective endocarditis.
  • The patient had a history of alcoholism and was previously well.
  • Infective endocarditis was caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, leading to a secondary brain abscess.

Findings:

  • The brain abscess spontaneously ruptured into the ventricles.
  • This rupture resulted in the development of pyogenic ventriculitis.
  • The patient's case underscores the severe consequences of untreated or complicated endocarditis.

Implications:

  • Prompt diagnosis and culture-directed antibiotic therapy with CNS penetration are critical for managing suspected PV.
  • This case emphasizes the importance of considering rare pathogens in infective endocarditis.
  • Early recognition and aggressive treatment are vital to improve outcomes in patients with PV secondary to endocarditis.
Keywords:
Aggregatibacter aphrophilusCommunity-acquiredHACEKHaemophilus aphrophilusInfective endocarditisMeningitis

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...