Rothia dentocariosa endocarditis and aortic root abscess

We report a case of endocarditis and associated paravalvular abscess due to Rothia dentocariosa which did not respond to antibiotic therapy. Nine case reports describing endocarditis caused by this organism, formerly thought to be non-pathogenic, have been recorded in the literature. The isolates were extremely sensitive to penicillin, and eight patients responded to this agent which, in most cases, was used in combination with an aminoglycoside. Surgery is recommended for an associated abscess, as the outcome in the two recorded cases has been fatal.