Aspergillus endocarditis in a native valve without prior cardiac surgery

Abstract

Aspergillus native valve endocarditis continues to be a lethal disease, even when maximal therapeutic options are taken. We describe herein a patient with mitral valve endocarditis due to Aspergillus fumigatus following colon cancer and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Voriconazole was effective in controlling pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis, despite the relative ineffectiveness for the vegetation. With the combination of aggressive medical and surgical therapy, the patient survived and remains without any evidence of infection 2 years later.