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Use of Cell-Free DNA Testing to Diagnose Infective Endocarditis in a Patient With Negative Blood Cultures

Robert Hennis1, Mark A Raynor1, Rivers A Hock1

  • 1Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, USA.

Cureus
|October 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study highlights a rare case of Streptococcus intermedius infective endocarditis. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing successfully identified the pathogen and guided treatment, avoiding invasive procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Infective endocarditis (IE) presents diagnostic challenges, impacting patient morbidity and mortality.
  • Identifying the causative pathogen is critical for effective IE management and treatment.
  • Rare presentations of IE require innovative diagnostic approaches.

Observation:

  • A rare case of Streptococcus intermedius infective endocarditis was observed.
  • The patient developed complications including lung and cerebral abscesses.
  • Standard diagnostic methods were challenging in this complex IE case.

Findings:

  • Cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) testing was utilized to diagnose IE.
  • cfDNA testing successfully identified Streptococcus intermedius as the causative pathogen.
  • This diagnostic approach guided appropriate antibiotic therapy and patient management.

Implications:

  • Positive cfDNA test results obviated the need for invasive brain biopsy.
  • This case demonstrates the potential of cfDNA testing in complex IE diagnosis.
  • Findings suggest cfDNA testing may influence future diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for IE.
Keywords:
2023 modified duke criteriabrain abscesscell-free dnainfective endocarditiskarius test

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