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Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
A complication of meningitis and infective endocarditis due to Streptococcus pyogenes
Kosuke Inoue1, Akiyoshi Hagiwara2, Akio Kimura2
1Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
Abstract:
We described a rare case of meningitis and infective endocarditis (IE) due to Streptococcus pyogenes. An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with unconsciousness. Glasgow Coma Scale was E1V3M5. We diagnosed her with acute meningitis due to S. pyogenes and started treatment using ceftriaxone. In spite of the improvement of her unconscious state, she developed a new-onset systolic murmur on day 13, and echocardiography revealed severe mitral valve regurgitation with vegetation. Therefore, we also diagnosed her with IE and continued the antibiotics for 6 weeks after we confirmed the negative blood cultures. The patient was finally transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation 57 days after admission. Considering that the number of S. pyogenes infections has been reported to increase in Japan and worldwide, we need to be more careful about the rare complication of meningitis and IE due to S. pyogenes.
Insights
This case report details a rare instance of Streptococcus pyogenes causing both meningitis and infective endocarditis in an elderly woman. Increased vigilance for these severe S. pyogenes complications is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) infections are increasing globally.
- Meningitis and infective endocarditis (IE) are rare but severe complications of S. pyogenes.
Observation:
- An 80-year-old female presented with unconsciousness, diagnosed with acute S. pyogenes meningitis.
- Despite initial improvement, she developed severe mitral valve regurgitation with vegetation, indicating IE.
- Echocardiography confirmed vegetation and severe mitral regurgitation.
Findings:
- Successful treatment of S. pyogenes meningitis and IE was achieved with a 6-week course of ceftriaxone.
- The patient recovered consciousness and was transferred for rehabilitation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering S. pyogenes as a cause of concurrent meningitis and IE.
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for these rare complications, especially with rising S. pyogenes incidence.
- Prompt diagnosis and comprehensive antibiotic treatment are essential for favorable outcomes.
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