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Subacute bacterial endocarditis due to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1981
Summary
A rare case of infective endocarditis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in a 59-year-old female resulted in aortic valve destruction. This highlights the aggressive nature of this pathogen, even with standard antibiotic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection of the heart valves.
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a Gram-negative bacterium, rarely implicated in IE.
- This case presents a unique challenge in IE management.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old female presented with symptoms of infective endocarditis.
- The causative agent identified through multiple blood cultures was Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
- The patient received standard treatment with penicillin and gentamicin.
Findings:
- Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, the infection progressed.
- Significant destruction of the aortic valve was observed.
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans demonstrated resistance or rapid virulence.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans to cause severe valvular damage in IE.
- It suggests a need for vigilance and potentially novel therapeutic strategies for IE caused by this organism.
- Further research into the pathogenicity and treatment of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans IE is warranted.