[Osteomyelitis, endocarditis and septic cerebral emboli caused by Kingella kingae]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• Cardiovascular Infections

Background:

• Kingella kingae is a frequent cause of osteoarticular infections in children under five.
• While known for bone and joint infections, K. kingae is an infrequent cause of endocarditis in pediatric populations.
• Invasive K. kingae infections can present with multiple organ involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of invasive Kingella kingae infection in a young child.
• To highlight the severe complications associated with K. kingae endocarditis in children.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing K. kingae as a potential cause of endocarditis and associated neurological sequelae.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 17-month-old female with invasive K. kingae infection.
• Clinical presentation included pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and endocarditis.
• Diagnostic workup identified K. kingae as the causative agent and revealed septic emboli leading to cerebral artery occlusion.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with a complex invasive infection involving the lungs, bones, heart, and brain.
• Kingella kingae endocarditis led to septic emboli and occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery.
• The case illustrates the high complication rate and potential for delayed diagnosis of K. kingae endocarditis in children.

Conclusions:

• Kingella kingae can cause severe, multi-system invasive disease in young children.
• Endocarditis due to K. kingae in children is rare but associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Increased clinical awareness and timely diagnosis are essential to manage K. kingae-related endocarditis and prevent catastrophic complications.