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An insidious Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans infection of an ascending aortic endovascular graft

Faith I Vietor1, Taylor B Nelson2

  • 1University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.

Idcases
|August 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

HACEK organisms rarely cause infective endocarditis (IE), but their subtle symptoms can delay diagnosis. This case highlights a HACEK aortic graft infection and IE in a 65-year-old male presenting with dyspnea and weight loss.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • HACEK (Haemophilus, Aggregatibacter, Cardiobacterium, Eikenella, Kingella) organisms are uncommon causes of infective endocarditis (IE).
  • Diagnosing HACEK-related IE is challenging due to nonspecific clinical manifestations.

Observation:

  • A 65-year-old male presented with persistent exertional dyspnea, hemoptysis, and unintentional weight loss.
  • The patient was found to have an aortic graft infection.

Findings:

  • Infective endocarditis (IE) was diagnosed in conjunction with a HACEK aortic graft infection.
  • The clinical presentation mimicked other conditions, leading to diagnostic delays.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering HACEK organisms in the differential diagnosis of IE, especially with prosthetic material involvement.
  • Early recognition and targeted treatment are crucial for improving outcomes in HACEK endocarditis.
  • Highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by HACEK group bacteria in infective endocarditis.

Keywords:
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitansAortic graft infectionEndocarditisHACEKVegetation

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