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Aerococcus urinae tricuspid valve infective endocarditis
Sanchari Banerjee1, Sindhubarathi Murali1, Atika Azhar1
1Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.
Aerococcus urinae, a cause of urinary tract infections, can lead to infective endocarditis, particularly affecting heart valves. This case highlights successful treatment of A. urinae endocarditis with penicillin G.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Aerococcus urinae is an alpha-hemolytic, gram-positive coccus causing urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Risk factors for A. urinae UTIs include male gender, advanced age, and genitourinary abnormalities.
- A. urinae is often misidentified as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus due to similar morphology.
Observation:
- Fewer than 50 cases of A. urinae infective endocarditis have been reported, typically involving the mitral or aortic valve.
- This report details a 61-year-old woman with A. urinae bacteremia presenting with recurrent fevers and dyspnea.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation and vegetations on the posterior and septal leaflets.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with A. urinae bacteremia and tricuspid valve endocarditis.
- Successful treatment was achieved with a 6-week course of intravenous penicillin G.
- The patient was not a candidate for cardiac surgery.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of A. urinae as a pathogen in infective endocarditis, specifically involving the tricuspid valve.
- It underscores the importance of accurate identification of A. urinae to guide appropriate treatment.
- The successful non-surgical management highlights a potential therapeutic approach for select cases of A. urinae endocarditis.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction

