Endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis. Two case reports

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Endocarditis is a serious infection affecting heart valves.
• Gram-negative rods are a diverse group of bacteria, some of which can cause endocarditis.
• Cardiobacterium hominis is a fastidious gram-negative bacterium that can be a rare cause of endocarditis.

Observation:

• Two cases of endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis were identified.
• Patients presented with significant valvular damage upon hospitalization.
• Clinical presentation did not reveal unusual features beyond the severity of valvular damage.

Findings:

• Cardiobacterium hominis was confirmed as the causative agent in both endocarditis cases.
• Specific biochemical properties, including oxidase and catalase reactions, indole production, and carbohydrate fermentation patterns, distinguish C. hominis from other fastidious gram-negative rods.
• Extensive valvular damage was a notable characteristic in these patients.

Implications:

• Early identification and differentiation of Cardiobacterium hominis are crucial for effective endocarditis treatment.
• Understanding the specific biochemical profile of C. hominis aids in its laboratory identification.
• The findings highlight the potential for severe valvular damage in C. hominis endocarditis, emphasizing the need for prompt diagnosis and intervention.