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Atypical presentation of infective endocarditis

Karuppiah Arunachalam1

  • 1Clinical Instructor in Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Medical Journal (2013)
|July 6, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Infective endocarditis caused by the HACEK group, including Cardiobacterium hominis, is rare but serious. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial, even with subtle symptoms, to prevent severe outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection requiring prompt recognition and treatment.
  • The HACEK group (Haemophilus, Aggregatibacter, Cardiobacterium, Eikenella, Kingella) are uncommon causes of IE.
  • Delayed diagnosis of IE can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.

Observation:

  • This case report details an instance of infective endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis.
  • The presentation of Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis was atypical and subtle.
  • Risk factors associated with this specific type of endocarditis were also identified.

Findings:

  • Cardiobacterium hominis, a member of the HACEK group, can cause infective endocarditis.
  • Atypical presentations of infective endocarditis can delay diagnosis.
  • Understanding risk factors aids in recognizing this rare condition.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness of HACEK organisms, particularly Cardiobacterium hominis, is needed for timely diagnosis of IE.
  • Infective endocarditis should remain a differential diagnosis even with vague presenting symptoms.
  • Prompt management of infective endocarditis is essential to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality.

Keywords:
HACEKatrial fibrillationcardiobacterium hominisinfective endocarditis

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