Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025
06:12
Author Spotlight: A Novel Method for Comprehensive Cell Component Analysis of Cerebral Blood Clots
Published on: July 21, 2023
704
Stroke, Fever, and Clot Microbiology Analysis: A Case Report
Mariana Baptista1, Pedro Tavares de Almeida2, Gabriela Abreu3
1Internal Medicine Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de Gaia e Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, PRT.
Cureus
|June 25, 2025
Summary
Infective endocarditis, a serious heart valve infection, can cause stroke. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including analyzing stroke clots for bacteria, are crucial for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe, life-threatening condition with varied symptoms.
- Risk factors include valvular heart disease, age, and invasive procedures.
- Neurological complications like stroke can arise from emboli originating in infected heart valves.
Observation:
- A 20-year-old male presented with acute stroke symptoms (aphasia, hemiparesis) and fever.
- CT angiography revealed a left middle cerebral artery occlusion.
- Thrombolysis and thrombectomy were performed; the retrieved clot was sent for analysis.
Findings:
- Blood and clot cultures identified *Streptococcus anginosus*.
- Echocardiogram confirmed a mitral valve vegetation, diagnosing IE.
- The patient received targeted antibiotics and underwent valve replacement, recovering neurological deficits.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of suspecting IE in stroke patients with fever.
- Microbiological analysis of thrombectomy retrieved clots can aid in identifying pathogens.
- Early diagnosis and tailored treatment of IE improve patient outcomes, including neurological recovery.
