Bacillus cereus endocarditis involving a prosthetic valve

A rare case of "late onset' endocarditis due to Bacillus cereus occurred in a 55-year-old man who had a Carpentier-Edwards heterograft valve. Combination therapy with gentamicin and clindamycin was administered as suggested by testing of minimal bactericidal concentrations for these antibiotics. Valve replacement was necessary because of a paravalvular leak. There was no recurrence after six weeks of therapy.