Bivalvular endocarditis due to Granulicatella adiacens.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Infective endocarditis (IE) is a significant global health concern.
• Streptococcal organisms cause approximately 50% of IE cases.
• Nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS), including Abiotrophia and Granulicatella, are increasingly recognized as IE pathogens, accounting for nearly 5% of cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing role of NVS in endocarditis.
• To emphasize the importance of early identification and treatment of NVS endocarditis.
• To review the diagnosis and management of NVS endocarditis.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a middle-aged male with Granulicatella infective endocarditis.
• Diagnostic procedures included echocardiogram.
• Treatment involved antibiotic therapy and valve replacement surgery.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with systemic symptoms including fever, fatigue, chills, and weight loss.
• Granulicatella infective endocarditis affected the mitral and aortic valves.
• Successful recovery was achieved with antibiotic treatment and bivalvular valve replacement.

Conclusions:

• NVS are an increasingly important cause of infective endocarditis.
• Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are critical for favorable outcomes.
• This case underscores the need for awareness and timely intervention in NVS endocarditis.