Infective Endocarditis Caused By Streptococcus pluranimalium: A Case Report

Fahad S Alqahtani1, Hiba Al-Asadi2, Abdulaziz I Alsenani3

  • 1Internal Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAU.

Cureus
|December 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by the rare bacterium Streptococcus pluranimalium is uncommon. This case highlights successful treatment with antibiotics, emphasizing the importance of recognizing this pathogen in human infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Infective endocarditis (IE) is an endocardial infection with potential severe complications like stroke.
  • IE can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, presenting acutely or sub-acutely.
  • Streptococcus (S.) pluranimalium, identified in 1999, is a rare organism known to cause infections in animals and occasionally humans.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with symptoms suggestive of infective endocarditis.
  • Diagnosis of IE was confirmed using the modified Duke's criteria.
  • Blood cultures identified Streptococcus (S.) pluranimalium as the causative agent.

Findings:

  • The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics tailored to the blood culture results.
  • The patient showed significant clinical improvement following antibiotic therapy.
  • This case contributes to the limited documented evidence of IE caused by S. pluranimalium in humans.

Implications:

  • Highlights the zoonotic potential of S. pluranimalium and its role in human infective endocarditis.
  • Underscores the importance of considering rare pathogens in IE diagnosis and management.
  • Suggests that prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment can lead to favorable outcomes for IE caused by S. pluranimalium.

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