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Rothia spp.: An unusual cause of infective endocarditis
Javier Martínez de Victoria Carazo1, Antonio García-Chamón Boronat2, Francisco Anguita Santos2
1Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, Spain; Programa INVESTIGA-C, Fundación Progreso y Salud de la Junta de Andalucía, Spain.
Summary
Rothia spp. can cause serious infective endocarditis (IE) in immunocompetent patients. Early identification and clinical correlation are key to managing these rare but severe Rothia IE cases.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Rothia species are commensal bacteria capable of causing severe infections, including infective endocarditis (IE).
- Limited data exists on the clinical course and management of Rothia spp. IE, particularly in immunocompetent individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of Rothia spp. bacteremia.
- To identify risk factors and complications associated with Rothia spp. IE in non-immunocompromised patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 11 cases of Rothia spp. bacteremia over 10 years.
- Inclusion of clinical, demographic, and microbiological data.
- Definition of true infection based on clinical, microbiological, and radiological evidence.
Main Results:
- Three cases (27.3%) were confirmed as Rothia mucilaginosa infective endocarditis in non-immunocompromised patients.
- Identified risk factors included diabetes, valvular disease, prosthetic implants, and odontogenic foci.
- All patients experienced severe central nervous system complications, but achieved bacterial eradication without requiring valve surgery.
Conclusions:
- Rothia spp. can cause significant bacteremia and IE in immunocompetent individuals.
- Distinguishing true infection from contamination requires careful consideration of time to positivity and clinical correlation.
- While conventional antibiotic durations are standard, shorter regimens may be considered in select cases due to the potential for severe complications.
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