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Endocarditis due to Staphylococcus lugdunensis: report of 11 cases and review
F Vandenesch1, J Etienne, M E Reverdy
1Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Hôpital Louis Pradel, Lyon, France.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a recently described coagulase-negative staphylococcus that has been associated with human infections, including nine reported cases of infective endocarditis. The present study describes 11 other cases of infective endocarditis caused by this organism. The infection occurred in patients whose mean age was 61 years and was community-acquired in most cases. A preexisting cardiac abnormality was present in eight patients. Three of the 11 infections involved prosthetic valves. Ten strains were susceptible to penicillin. The destructive course of the infection, the need for valve replacement, and the high mortality suggest that S. lugdunensis causes a virulent form of endocarditis.
Insights
Staphylococcus lugdunensis causes severe infective endocarditis, often in older adults with heart conditions. This virulent infection frequently requires valve replacement and has a high mortality rate.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus.
- It has been linked to various human infections.
Observation:
- This study details 11 new cases of infective endocarditis caused by S. lugdunensis.
- The patients had a mean age of 61 years and most infections were community-acquired.
- Eight patients had pre-existing cardiac abnormalities, and three had prosthetic valve infections.
Findings:
- Ten of the 11 S. lugdunensis strains were susceptible to penicillin.
- The infection demonstrated a destructive course.
- Valve replacement was necessary in several cases.
Implications:
- S. lugdunensis can cause a virulent form of endocarditis.
- The high mortality rate underscores the severity of these infections.
- Further research into S. lugdunensis endocarditis is warranted.