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Aortic annular abscess complicating prosthetic valve endocarditis with group G streptococcus: detection during life
B D Pollack1, R N Belkin, D A Rubin
1Division of Cardiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla.
Abstract:
Infection with group G streptococcus is an unusual but virulent cause of endocarditis. Aortitis and abscess formation due to this organism have been described in one previous report, but only at necropsy. We present here a patient with group G streptococcal endocarditis and aortic annular abscess diagnosed during life by transesophageal echocardiography, leading to successful surgical intervention.
Insights
Group G streptococcus endocarditis is rare but severe. This case highlights successful diagnosis and surgical treatment of aortic annular abscess caused by this pathogen, confirmed via transesophageal echocardiography.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Group G streptococcus (GGS) is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis.
- Previous reports of GGS-associated aortitis and abscesses were limited to post-mortem findings.
Observation:
- A patient presented with symptoms suggestive of infective endocarditis.
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was utilized for diagnostic imaging.
- The diagnostic imaging revealed an aortic annular abscess.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with group G streptococcal endocarditis.
- The aortic annular abscess was successfully identified during life using TEE.
- The patient underwent successful surgical intervention for the condition.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the feasibility of in-vivo diagnosis of rare GGS endocarditis complications.
- Transesophageal echocardiography is a crucial tool for identifying aortic annular abscesses in infective endocarditis.
- Early diagnosis and surgical management can lead to favorable outcomes in virulent GGS infections.