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Infective endocarditis caused by Neisseria flavescens
The American Journal of Medicine
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Neisseria flavescens rarely causes disease, but this case shows it can lead to endocarditis. Penicillin failed, but cefotaxime successfully treated this rare bacterial heart valve infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Neisseria flavescens is an infrequently identified bacterial species.
- Infections caused by Neisseria flavescens are uncommon in humans.
- Endocarditis is a serious infection of the heart's inner lining or valves.
Observation:
- This report details the first documented case of endocarditis caused by Neisseria flavescens.
- The patient presented with symptoms indicative of endocarditis.
- The causative organism, Neisseria flavescens, was identified.
Findings:
- The Neisseria flavescens strain isolated from the patient produced beta-lactamase, an enzyme conferring resistance to penicillin.
- Initial treatment with penicillin was unsuccessful due to the organism's resistance.
- The patient demonstrated high sensitivity to cefotaxime, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering Neisseria flavescens in the differential diagnosis of endocarditis, particularly in cases with unusual presentations or treatment failures.
- The beta-lactamase production by this organism necessitates alternative antibiotic strategies.
- Successful treatment with cefotaxime demonstrates its efficacy against beta-lactamase-producing Neisseria flavescens endocarditis, offering a viable therapeutic option.