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Native Triple-Valve Endocarditis Caused by Corynebacterium striatum Needing Urgent Surgery.
Rahul Gandhi1, Prakash Balakrishnan2, John Riordan2
1Wellington Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Cardiology, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
JACC. Case Reports
|July 18, 2025
Summary
Triple-valve endocarditis, a rare condition, can be caused by Corynebacterium striatum, a bacterium often mistaken for contamination. This case highlights the importance of considering C. striatum in native valve endocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Triple-valve endocarditis is exceedingly rare, particularly in patients without prosthetic heart valves.
- Native valve endocarditis typically involves one or two valves, making triple-valve involvement highly unusual.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with initial symptoms of colitis.
- Blood cultures revealed Corynebacterium striatum, initially dismissed as a contaminant.
- Recurrent fevers led to the diagnosis of endocarditis, necessitating urgent valve surgery.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with native triple-valve endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium striatum.
- Corynebacterium striatum accounts for a small percentage (0.2%–0.4%) of native valve endocarditis cases.
- Intraoperative findings confirmed triple-valve endocarditis requiring prosthetic valve replacement.
Implications:
- Corynebacterium striatum, often overlooked as a contaminant, can be a pathogen in native valve endocarditis.
- Clinical vigilance is crucial when C. striatum is identified in blood cultures, especially with relevant symptoms.
- This case underscores the need for careful evaluation of C. striatum in endocarditis diagnosis and management.
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