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[Infectious endocarditis caused by Leuconostoc mesenteroides]
E Vázquez1, I Carazo, A Martín
1Unidade de Cardiología, Hospital General de Especialidades Ciudad de Jaén.
Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|July 17, 1998
Summary
Leuconostoc mesenteroides, a vancomycin-resistant bacterium, can cause infective endocarditis. This case highlights the need to consider this pathogen in prosthetic valve endocarditis, especially in patients with cardiac conditions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Leuconostoc spp. are gram-positive coccobacilli, catalase and oxidase negative, and vancomycin-resistant.
- Their role in human infections is not well-defined, though cases have been reported.
- Infective endocarditis due to Leuconostoc mesenteroides has not been previously described.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old woman with a history of cardiac disease presented with heart failure.
- The patient had prosthetic aortic valve dysfunction.
- This dysfunction was attributed to a prosthetic valve endocarditis.
Findings:
- The case describes confirmed infective endocarditis caused by Leuconostoc mesenteroides.
- This represents the first reported instance of infective endocarditis specifically due to this microorganism.
- The patient's prosthetic valve endocarditis was successfully managed.
Implications:
- Leuconostoc mesenteroides should be recognized as a potential cause of infective endocarditis.
- This bacterium should be included in the differential diagnosis for vancomycin-resistant organisms causing endocarditis.
- Clinical awareness and further research are needed to understand the full spectrum of Leuconostoc infections.