A Rare Case of Q-Fever Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis

Abstract

We present the case of a 32-year-old gardener with culture-negative chronic Q fever prosthetic valve endocarditis concomitant with another bacterial pathogen, leading to aortic root abscess formation, requiring a Bentall procedure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and prolonged antimicrobial therapy, with a fatal outcome. Unique to this case, Q fever was identified early, and the second pathogen was only detected on 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) polymerase chain reaction of explanted valvular tissue. The findings included posthumous demonstration of severe aortitis and micro-abscesses contained in myocardial tissue.