[Treatment of infectious endocarditis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and cardiac surgery]

A 12 year old boy was admitted to hospital with fever, general malaise, cough and peripheral edema. The patient who have had rheumatic heart diseases-mitral insufficiency was found to be in congestive cardiac failure. In blood cultures Staphylococcus aureus and Alpha-hemolytic streptococcus grew. The regimens of Cephalothin-Gentamicin, Methicillin-Tobramicin, to which the organism were sensitive were given intravenously. On these therapy the patient continued to have fever. He was put on Trimethoprim-Sulfomethoxazole intramuscularly. He became afebril for the first time. After two weeks fever recurred. In spite of medical treatment, the infection persisted and the indication for surgery was considered. Mitral valve replacement with a Starr-Edwards prosthesis was carried out. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with TMP-SMZ. For the past 10 months the patient has remained afebril and without evidence of congestive heart failure.