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Endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis
Insights
A case of bacterial endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis was successfully treated with chemotherapy and valve surgery. This highlights effective management for this rare infection in patients with rheumatic heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Rheumatic heart disease can lead to valvular incompetence, increasing susceptibility to infective endocarditis.
- Cardiobacterium hominis is a rare causative agent of bacterial endocarditis.
Observation:
- A 41-year-old male with mitral and aortic incompetence presented with bacterial endocarditis.
- The patient had a history of rheumatic fever contributing to his valvular disease.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis.
- Successful microbiological cure achieved after six weeks of bactericidal chemotherapy.
- Patient underwent successful mitral valve replacement and aortic valve plication.
Implications:
- Effective chemotherapy regimens can achieve microbiological cure in Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis.
- Surgical intervention, including valve replacement and plication, is a viable option for managing severe valvular damage post-infection.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare pathogens in endocarditis, especially in patients with underlying valvular heart disease.
Abstract:
A case of bacterial endocarditis was caused by Cardiobacterium hominis in a 41-year-old man with mitral and aortic incompetence due to a previous episode of rheumatic fever. The main distinguishing characteristics of C. hominis are described, and the incidence of endocarditis is reviewed. After six weeks of treatment with effective bactericidal chemotherapy a microbiological cure was achieved and the patient successfully underwent mitral valve replacement and aortic valve plication.