Haemophilus parainfluenzae prosthetic valve endocarditis complicated by septic emboli to brain

A 51-year-old man with a history of injection drug use presented to the emergency roomwith fevers, chills and headaches. Five months earlier, he had undergone bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement for infective endocarditis owing to Corynebacterium auricumosum involving a bicuspid aortic valve. Blood cultures obtained during current hospitalisation grew Haemophilus parainfluenzae and patient underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram that revealed a large mitral valve vegetation. Owing to persistent headache and right lower extremity weakness, MRI of the brain was performed which demonstrated multifocal, acute infarctions secondary to septic embolisation. He was initiated on parenteral antibiotics and experienced no further neurological setbacks. After 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy, he underwent bioprosthetic aortic and mitral valve replacement, aortic root debridement and replacement, and reconstruction of the intravalvular fibrosa without complication. He was discharged to a skilled nursing facility to complete six more weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone.