Early Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Due to Finegoldia magna

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Finegoldia magna is a Gram-positive anaerobic cocci commonly implicated in human infections.
• Infective endocarditis is a serious condition, particularly in patients with prosthetic heart valves.
• Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by F. magna is exceptionally rare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of mechanical prosthetic endocarditis caused by Finegoldia magna.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and management strategies for this rare infection.
• To contribute to the understanding of F. magna as a pathogen in complex cardiac cases.

Main Methods:

• Identification of F. magna from anaerobic blood cultures using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).
• 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence analysis for definitive microbial identification.
• Surgical intervention involving mechanical mitral valve prosthesis replacement.
• Clinical monitoring for complications and treatment response.

Main Results:

• A 50-year-old male patient with a history of heart disease and prosthetic valves developed severe complications including pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and multiorgan dysfunction.
• F. magna was successfully identified as the causative agent from blood and prosthetic valve cultures.
• The patient underwent successful mitral valve replacement surgery.
• Despite a subsequent convulsive episode, the patient ultimately experienced a positive clinical outcome.

Conclusions:

• Finegoldia magna can cause rare but severe cases of mechanical prosthetic valve endocarditis.
• Prompt and accurate microbiological identification is crucial for effective treatment.
• Multidisciplinary management involving infectious disease specialists, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons is essential for favorable outcomes in complex cases.