Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis and Septic Pulmonary Embolism Caused by Staphylococcus haemolyticus: A Case Study

BACKGROUND We present a rare case of pulmonic valve endocarditis complicated by septic pulmonary embolism and pulmonary edema due to Staphylococcus haemolyticus in a patient without risk factors such as indwelling catheters, implanted devices, or intravenous drug use. Pulmonic valve endocarditis is itself a rare entity, comprising less than 2% of all cases of infective endocarditis; a mere 70 reports of isolated pulmonic valve infective endocarditis are reflected in the literature between 1979 and 2013. Diagnosis requires blood cultures and echocardiography, with intravenous antibiotics the method of treatment, similar to other types of infective endocarditis. CASE REPORT This case report details a 31-year-old man with no relevant past medical history presenting with a 3-month history of fever, chills, and night sweats. He was eventually diagnosed with pulmonic valve endocarditis from Staphylococcus haemolyticus through echocardiography and was treated with antibiotics and valve replacement. In this case, we also present a discussion of the literature on the diagnosis and management of pulmonic valve endocarditis, due to its rarity in nature. CONCLUSIONS Pulmonic valve endocarditis often presents insidiously, without the presence of risk factors, such as intravenous drug use, as in this case. Such atypical presentations pose a significant diagnostic challenge and may lead to delays in treatment with concurrently increased risk of mortality. It is important to use the Duke criteria to formally diagnose infective endocarditis, along with echocardiography for characterization, thus allowing for effective and prompt management.