Cases Of Infective Endocarditis Research Articles

Blood Culture-Negative Infective Endocarditis by Mycoplasma hominis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Mycoplasma hominis is a habitual colonizing microorganism of the lower genital tract but can exceptionally be the causal agent of blood culture-negative infective endocarditis (IE). Only 11 cases of this entity have been published to date. The study objectives were to describe the first case diagnosed in our center of IE by M. hominis on pacemaker lead and to carry out a narrative review. Among published cases of IE by this microorganism, 72.7% were male, with a mean age of 45 years and a history of valve surgery; the diagnosis was by culture (54.5%) or molecular technique (45.5%), and the prognosis was favorable in 72.7% of cases. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were doxycycline, quinolones, and clindamycin.

Demographic Characteristics, Predisposing Factors, Clinical Presentations, Echocardiographic Findings, Complications, and Outcomes of Patients with Viridans Streptococcal Endocarditis

Background: Several microorganisms are associated with infective endocarditis (IE), but the most common IE causes are staphylococci and streptococci. Among streptococci, the viridans group streptococci are responsible for a considerable percentage of all IE cases. Methods: Since 2006, the Iranian Registry of Infective Endocarditis has recorded information regarding all adult patients with a definite or possible IE diagnosis according to the modified Duke criteria. Patients with viridans streptococcal endocarditis were detected through three blood culture sets. The patients' demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, clinical presentations, and echocardiographic findings were recorded. Results: Of 731 patients diagnosed with endocarditis, viridans streptococci were found in 46 (6.3%) patients, consisting of 28 (60.9%) men and 18 (39.1%) women at a mean age of 42.56 ± 15.46 years, who were subsequently included in the study. Among the 46 patients with viridans streptococcal endocarditis, 26 had a subacute course, whereas 20 had an acute course. Vegetation was detected in 35 patients. All the patients were treated with the standard antibiotic regimen for viridans streptococcal endocarditis, and cardiac surgery was performed on 16 patients. Conclusions: Clinicians should pay sufficient heed to the following points in all cases of viridans streptococcal endocarditis: firstly, an appropriate antibiotic regimen must be based on a precise minimal inhibitory concentration determination for the usual antibiotics. Secondly, since prolonged antibiotic therapy is crucial to the eradication of microorganisms within vegetation, all patients with viridans streptococcal endocarditis must receive an adequate therapy course.

Stretococcus gallolyticus infective endocarditis, a different presentation-a case report

We present a case (57-year-old man) of infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus in a patient with incident early-stage colon cancer. Benzylpenicillin treatment was immediately initiated to control bacteremia, and curative cancer resection was conducted 1 week later. The patient was discharged and placed on a 6-week outpatient parenteral anti-biotic therapy program for infective endocarditis but was rehospitalized 2 months later for heart failure. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed multiple large vegetations and perforation of the aortic valve. Valve replacement was conducted successfully, and heart failure was alleviated. This case highlights the dilemma of prioritizing the management of two competing interests, one for heart failure caused by valve regurgitation and the other for early-stage colon cancer with a curative intent. In this case, curative resection of the colon cancer was conducted after reasonable control of the endocarditis. Perforation of the aortic valve and heart failure could have been avoided if valve replacement was conducted first, but at the risk of cancer progression.

Infective endocarditis after transcatheter approach versus surgical pulmonary valve replacement: A meta-analysis.

Background In this meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the risk of infective endocarditis in transcatheter versus surgical pulmonary valve replacement patients. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for the studies that reported the event rate of infective endocarditis in both transcatheter and surgical pulmonary valve replacement between December 2012 and December 2021. Random-effects model was used in the meta-analysis. Results Fifteen comparison groups with 4,706 patients were included. The mean follow-up was 38.5±3.7 months. Patients with transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement had a higher risk of infective endocarditis than patients receiving surgically replaced valves (OR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.83-3.93, p<0.00001). The calculated absolute risk difference was 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.05), indicating that if 1,000 patients received a surgical valve replacement, 30 cases of infective endocarditis would be prevented. A meta-regression of follow-up time on the incidence of infective endocarditis was not statistically significant (p=0.753). Conclusion Although transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is a feasible alternative to surgical replacement in severe right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction, the higher incidence of infective endocarditis in transcatheter replacement remains a significant concern. Regarding this analysis, surgical treatment of right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction is still a viable option in patients with prohibitive risk.

Therapeutic options in the treatment of infectious endocarditis of an implantable cardiac device lead

Right-sided endocarditis, and endocarditis of the tricuspid valve in particular, is a relatively uncommon condition, encountered in approximately 5 to 10 percent of all cases of infectious endocarditis (IE). The recent increase in the prevalence of right-sided IE is attributed to intravenous drug abuse as well as the increased utilization of implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defi brillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. These cases pose signifi cant therapeutic challenges, especially when right-sided devices are involved. We present a case of 45-year-old male patient with proven IE with involvement of the tricuspid valve and implantable&amp;nbsp;cardiac device lead and demonstrate the results of an antibacterial treatment and surgical interventions carried out in two steps &amp;ndash; explanation of the lead of the implantable cardiac device, excision of the tricuspid valve, and implantation of an epicardial implantable device; subsequent tricuspid valve replacement with mechanical valve, surgical revascularization, and fi nally replacement of the thrombosed mechanical valve with a biological valve. The optimal preoperative management and the following comprehensive surgical intervention resulted in resolution of IE as it has been demonstrated by the lack of recurrence of systemic infl ammatory response syndrome and no further hospitalisations due to cardiovascular events.

Sex Differences in Characteristics of Patients with Infective Endocarditis: A Multicenter Study.

Infectious diseases like infective endocarditis (IE) may manifest or progress differently between sexes. This study sought to identify the differences in demographic and clinical characteristics among male and female patients with IE. Data were obtained from a newly developed registry comprising all adult patients with first IE admission at the four major tertiary cardiovascular centers in West Virginia, USA during 2014–2018. Patient characteristics were compared between males and females using Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. A secondary analysis was restricted to IE patients with drug use only. Among 780 unique patients (390 males, 390 females), significantly more women (a) were younger than males (median age 34.9 vs. 41.4, p < 0.001); (b) reported drug use (77.7% vs. 64.1%, p < 0.001); (c) had tricuspid valve endocarditis (46.4% vs. 30.8%, p < 0.001); and (d) were discharged against medical advice (20% vs. 9.5%, p < 0.001). These differences persisted even within the subgroup of patients with drug use-associated IE. In a state with one of the highest incidences of drug use and overdose deaths, the significantly higher incident IE cases in younger women and higher proportion of women leaving treatment against medical advice are striking. Differential characteristics between male and female patients are important to inform strategies for specialized treatment and care.

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for in-Hospital Mortality in 240 Cases of Infective Endocarditis in a Tertiary Hospital in China: A Retrospective Study.

PurposeThis study aimed (i) to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors related to in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and (ii) to compare the differences in three age groups.MethodsA total of 240 IE cases diagnosed using the modified Duke criteria between January 2016 and December 2019 were included and retrospectively studied. Patients were stratified into three age groups: < 50 y, 50–65 y, and > 65 y.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 51 ± 14 y, and 154 patients (64.2%) were male. In addition, 136 (56.7%) patients with IE had no previous cardiac disease. Congenital heart disease (CHD, 21.3%) was the most common underlying heart disease, followed by rheumatic heart disease (RHD, 8.8%). Streptococcus was found in 55 (22.9%) patients and was the most common causative pathogen, comprising 52.9% of all positive blood cultures. Echocardiography showed the presence of vegetations in 88.3% of cases and the predominant involvement of the left heart valves. Fever and cardiac murmur were the most frequent presentations, with no significant differences among age groups. Compared with younger patients, elderly patients had a lower operation rate and higher in-hospital mortality. The independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality were age > 65 y, intracranial infection, splenic embolization, cerebral hemorrhage, NYHA class III–IV, and prosthetic valve infection.ConclusionCHD replaces RHD as the most common underlying heart disease in IE patients. Patients without previous cardiac disease are at increased risk of IE. Streptococcus is still the primary causative pathogen of IE. Elderly patients present with more comorbidities and complications, in addition to a more severe prognosis than younger patients. Age older than 65 y, intracranial infection, splenic embolization, cerebral hemorrhage, NYHA class III–IV, and prosthetic valve infection showed poorer in-hospital outcomes.

Surgical Correction of Tricuspid Component of Patients with Multi-Vessel Heartdefect.

The analysis of results of surgical correction of 326 (8%) patients with tricuspid pathology in rheumatic multi-valve heart defects. The age of our patients ranged from 12 to 74 years (mean 36.7 + 9.4). Women were 220 (67.5%), while men - 106 (32.5%). According to the degree of circulatory disorders, patients were divided according to the classification of chronic heart failure (CHF) in NYHA, where in functional class III were assigned 24 (7.4%), and to IY functional class NYHA - 302 (92.6%) patients. The clinic is the most commonly used plastic fibrous ring by De Vega. Of the 262 (80.5%) operated by the method of De Vega, at 26.9% after correction of regurgitation on tricuspid valve (TC) virtually disappeared, at 62.8% - regurgitation decreased from a low of 1 degree, and the remaining 10.3% were operated last was reduced to 2 (moderate) degree. In 8 (2.46%) cases of infective endocarditis was made "open" correction - prosthetics TC biological prosthesis. Known methods of creating a bicuspid tricuspid valve - Kay Reed Kay Boyd used in 13.4% of cases, but in recent years because of the low efficiency of data communication techniques greater preference for annuloplasty by De Vega.

Infective endocarditis with Osler’s nodule in a patient with Osler’s disease: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundHereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, also known as Osler–Weber–Rendu disease, induces arteriovenous malformations in visceral organs. Arteriovenous malformations increase the risk of severe infections and are a common complication associated with hemorrhagic telangiectasia. However, cases of endocarditis associated with hemorrhagic telangiectasia are rarely reported. Although hemorrhagic telangiectasia causes erythematous macules on the extremities, these macules are usually painless. We encountered a rare case of infective endocarditis in a patient with Osler–Weber–Rendu disease.Case presentationA 52-year-old Japanese woman who was diagnosed with hemorrhagic telangiectasia 5 years prior presented to our hospital with fever and muscular pain. She had erythematous nodules and tenderness on the finger, heel, and toe, suggestive of Osler’s nodes. A physical examination revealed tachycardia with a 3/6 pansystolic murmur. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed vegetations along the atrial side of the mitral valve and mild mitral regurgitation because of prolapse of the anterior commissure. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was identified in the blood cultures. Detection of distinctive skin lesions, so-called Osler’s nodes, was the symptomatic key to early diagnosis, and the patient was treated without surgery. She was discharged with negative blood cultures after a 6-week intravenous antibiotic administration.ConclusionsOur report highlights the importance of considering the risk of extracerebral infections including endocarditis in hemorrhagic telangiectasia. This rare case effectively demonstrates the importance of proper diagnosis of skin lesions.

Combined Bacterial Meningitis and Infective Endocarditis: When Should We Search for the Other When Either One is Diagnosed?

IntroductionWe aimed to describe patients with coexisting infective endocarditis (IE) and bacterial meningitis (BM).MethodsWe merged two large prospective cohorts, an IE cohort and a BM cohort, with only cases of definite IE and community-acquired meningitis. We compared patients who had IE and BM concurrently to patients with IE only and BM only.ResultsAmong the 1030 included patients, we identified 42 patients with IE–BM (4.1%). Baseline characteristics of patients with IE–BM were mostly similar to those of patients with IE, but meningitis was the predominant presentation at admission (39/42, 92.3%). Causative pathogens were predominantly Streptococcus pneumoniae (18/42, 42.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (14/42, 33.3%). All pneumococcal IE were associated with BM (18/18). BM due to oral and group D streptococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, and S. aureus were frequently associated with IE (14/30, 46.7%). Three-month mortality was 28.6% in patients with IE–BM, 20.5% in patients with IE, and 16.6% in patients with BM.ConclusionsPatients with pneumococcal IE or altered mental status during IE must be investigated for BM. Patients with S. aureus, oral and group D streptococcal or enterococcal BM, or unfavorable outcome in pneumococcal meningitis would benefit from an echocardiography. Patients with the dual infection have the worst prognosis. Their identification is mandatory to initiate appropriate treatment.

Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of infective endocarditis: a single-center retrospective study in the Bronx, New York.

There is paucity of data on the epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical characteristics of patients admitted with infective endocarditis (IE) in the Bronx, New York. We conducted a retrospective study at Jacobi Medical Center, a tertiary care hospital in the Bronx. All adult patients who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of new-onset IE between January 1st, 2010 and September 30th, 2020 were included. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. A logistic regression model was used to identify baseline variables associated with in-hospital mortality. 182 patients were included in this analysis (female sex: 38.5%, median age: 54years). 46 patients (25.3%) reported intravenous drug use. 153 patients (84.1%) had positive blood cultures. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was the most common isolated pathogen (45.1% of monomicrobial IE). Nearly half of the cases secondary to S. aureus were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (34/69). 164 patients (90.1%) were diagnosed with native valve IE. The mitral valve was involved in 32.4% of patients followed by the aortic valve (19.8%). The in-hospital mortality was 18.1%. The mortality was higher in the cohort 2010-2015 compared to the cohort 2016-2020 (22.1% vs 14.6%). Increasing age, MRSA IE, and active malignancy were the only variables found to have significant association with in-hospital death. S. aureus was the most common causative agent and MRSA accounted for about half of the S. aureus IE cases. The incidence of IE in patients with intravenous drug use increased over time, while the median age decreased. The in-hospital death rate was higher in 2010-2015 compared to 2016-2020.

Bartonella Endocarditis in Spain: Case Reports of 21 Cases

Blood culture negative endocarditis (BCNE) is frequent in infective endocarditis (IE). One of the causes of BCNE is fastidious microorganisms, such as Bartonella spp. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiologic, clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with Bartonella IE from the “Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis-Grupo de Apoyo al Manejo de la Endocarditis infecciosa en España (GAMES)”cohort. Here we presented 21 cases of Bartonella IE. This represents 0.3% of a total of 5590 cases and 2% of the BCNE from the GAMES cohort. 62% were due to Bartonella henselae and 38% to Bartonella quintana. Cardiac failure was the main presenting form (61.5% in B. hensalae, 87.5% in B. quintana IE) and the aortic valve was affected in 85% of the cases (76% in B. henselae, 100% in B. quintana IE). Typical signs such as fever were recorded in less than 40% of patients. Echocardiography showed vegetations in 92% and 100% of the patients with B. henselae and B. quintana, respectively. Culture was positive only in one patient and the remaining were diagnosed by serology and PCR. PCR was the most useful tool allowing for diagnosis in 16 patients (100% of the studied valves). Serology, at titers recommended by guidelines, only coincided with PCR in 52.4%. Antimicrobial therapy, in different combinations, was used in all cases. Surgery was performed in 76% of the patients. No in-hospital mortality was observed. One-year mortality was 9.4%. This article remarks the importance for investigating the presence of Bartonella infection as causative agent in all BCNE since the diagnosis needs specific microbiological tools and patients could benefit of a specific treatment.

Subacute infective endocarditis caused by Bacillus cereus in a patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A rare and difficult to diagnose case of subacute infective endocarditis caused by Bacillus cereus in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and Libman-Sacks endocarditis has been reported. Our aim is to highlight the importance of molecular methods such as MALDI-TOF and PCR to explain clinical and epidemiological issues about infections caused by unusual pathogen.

An unusual infective endocarditis case presenting as meningitis in a young male with recent dental work

Introduction: Infective endocarditis manifests in a variety of clinical presentations. Here, we present a case of infective endocarditis with uncommon presentation, unusual risk factors and rapidly progressing course that is important for clinicians to be aware of.&#x0D; Case: A 39-year-old healthy man presented for altered mental status, fever, and diffuse petechial rash. Ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and steroids were started for likely meningococcal meningitis. Blood cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. His condition worsened with multiple complications. Transthoracic echocardiograms were negative for vegetations, but transesophageal echocardiogram finally showed a large aortic valve vegetation and aortic root abscess. Patient underwent cardiothoracic surgery and was successfully discharged home.&#x0D; Discussion: A high index of suspicion is required to quickly diagnosis IE. A detailed physical examination is paramount for correct diagnosis. TEE is superior to bedside TTE in such cases. IE can be complicated with intracardiac abscesses, septic shock, and presence of SAH.&#x0D; Key Words: Endocarditis, meningitis, petechial rash

Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Infective Endocarditis Co-Infection.

Many cases of vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) and infective endocarditis (IE) co-infection have been reported, and it has been recognized that attention should be paid to the possibility of both diseases co-existing during diagnosis and treatment. However, the incidence, clinical status, and outcomes of IE in patients with VO remain unclear. For this study, the eligibility criteria for patient recruitment included all cases of VO at the five medical university hospitals. Patients with a history of spinal surgery were excluded from this study. Echocardiography was routinely performed for all patients with VO. IE was diagnosed according to the modified Duke criteria for definite endocarditis. We analyzed demographic data, underlying conditions, clinical features, laboratory data, echocardiography, radiologic images, treatments, and outcomes. VO was diagnosed in 59 patients and IE was diagnosed in seven patients (12%). There were no significant differences in the clinical features, microorganisms, or radiographic status between the VO-IE co-infection and VO-only groups. In this study, using routine echocardiography for VO, the IE prevalence was 12%. The lack of specific clinical features and laboratory findings may hamper the diagnosis of IE. Therefore, clinicians are always required to suspect IE in patients with VO.

Outcomes of leadless pacemaker implantation in patients with mechanical heart valves.

Device infections constitute a major complication of transvenous pacemakers. Mechanical heart valves (MHV) increase the risk of infective endocarditis (IE) and pacemaker infection, requiring lifelong vitamin K-antagonists (VKA), which may affect patient management. Leadless pacemakers (LP) are associated with low infection rates, posing an attractive option in MHV patients requiring permanent pacing. This study describes outcomes following LP implantation in patients with MHV. This is a multicenter, observational, retrospective study including consecutive patients implanted with an LP at 5 centers between June 2015 and January 2020. Procedural outcomes, antithrombotic management, complications, performance during follow-up and episodes of bacteremia and IE were compared between patients with and without an MHV (MHV and non-MHV groups). Four hundred fifty-nine patients were included (74 in the MHV group, 16.1%, and 385 in the non-MHV group, 83.9%). Procedural outcomes and acute electrical performance were comparable between groups. Vascular complications and cardiac perforation occurred in 2.7 versus 2.3% (p = 1) and 0% versus 0.8% (p = 1) in the MHV group and non-MHV group. One case of IE occurred in the MHV group and 2 in the non-MHV group. In MHV patients, uninterrupted VKA was used in 83.8%, whereas 16.2% were heparin-bridged. Vascular complication or tamponade occurred in 1 (8.3%) MHV heparin-bridged patient versus 1 (1.6%) MHV uninterrupted VKA patient (p = .3). LP implantation outcomes in MHV patients are comparable to the general LP population. Device-related infections are rare following LP implantation, including in patients with MHV. In the MHV group, periprocedural anticoagulation management was not associated with significantly different rates of tamponade or vascular complication.

Infective endocarditis by Actinomyces species: a systematic review

Actinomycosis, is a slowly progressive infection that may mimic malignancy due to the invasiveness of tissues and the ability to form sinus tracts. Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a rare disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, even though there are scarce data of IE by Actinomyces spp. in the literature, a review adequately summarizing all available evidence on the topic in a systematic way is lacking. The aim of this study was to systematically review all cases of IE by Actinomyces spp. in the literature and describe the epidemiology, microbiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of this infection. A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane library (through 19 August 2021) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, microbiological as well as treatment data and outcomes of IE by Actinomyces spp. was performed. A total of 31 studies providing data for 31 patients were included. A prosthetic valve was present in 12.9%, while the most common microorganism was A. meyeri. Aortic valve was the most commonly infected intracardiac site, followed by the mitral valve. Diagnosis was most commonly performed with transesophageal echocardiography, while the diagnosis was made at autopsy in 16.1%. Penicillin, cephalosporins and aminopenicillins were the most commonly used antimicrobials. Clinical cure was noted in 80.6%, while mortality was 19.4%. Development of heart failure was associated with mortality by IE. This systematic review thoroughly describes IE by Actinomyces and provides information on epidemiology, clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes.

Infective Endocarditis by Moraxella Species: A Systematic Review.

Moraxella catarrhalis is the most clinically relevant species among Moraxella spp. For decades, it was considered to be part of the normal human flora in the upper respiratory tract. However, since the late 1970s, considerable evidence has proposed that M. catarrhalis is an important pathogen in the human respiratory tract. Even though Infective Endocarditis (IE) is rarely caused by Moraxella spp., these infections can be problematic due to the lack of experience in their management. The aim of this study was to systematically review all published cases of IE by Moraxella spp. A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane library (through 8 December 2021) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, microbiological data as well as treatment data and outcomes of IE by Moraxella spp. was performed. A total of 27 studies, containing data for 31 patients, were included. A prosthetic valve was present in 25.8%. Mitral valve was the most commonly infected site. Fever, sepsis and embolic phenomena were the most common clinical presentations. Cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, aminopenicillins and penicillin were the most commonly used antimicrobials. Overall mortality was 12.9%.

A \u201ccat\u201d-astrophic case of Bartonella infective endocarditis causing secondary cryoglobulinemia: a case report

BackgroundCulture-negative infective endocarditis (IE) constitutes approximately 10% of all cases of IE. Bartonella endocarditis is a common cause of culture-negative endocarditis and is associated with a high mortality rate. To date, no cases of Bartonella IE has been reported in association with cryoglobulinemia in the UK. We present a unique case of Bartonella IE causing secondary cryoglobulinemia in a young female.Case presentationA 17-year-old female with a background of pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect repaired with a cardiac conduit at the age of 4, presented with a one-year history of weight loss (from 53 to 39 kg) and poor appetite. She subsequently developed a vasculitic rash and haematoproteinuria with decline in renal function, requiring urgent hospital admission. Initial blood tests showed a near normal creatinine, but a raised cystatin C. Renal biopsy showed focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis with no acute tubular necrosis or chronic change. Subsequent blood tests supported a diagnosis of cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (high rheumatoid factor, low complement, polyclonal gammopathy, Type 3 cryoglobulin). A weak positive PR3 meant there was some uncertainty about whether this could be a primary ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Initial workup for an infectious cause, including multiple blood cultures, were negative. However, an echocardiogram showed definite vegetations on her surgical conduit. The patient did not respond to empirical antimicrobials and so was referred for surgical revision of her conduit. Tissue samples obtained intra-operatively demonstrated Bartonella species. With targeted antimicrobials post-operatively, she improved with resolution of immunologic abnormalities and at last review had a normal renal profile. On reviewing her social history, she had adopted several stray cats in the preceding year; and thus, the cause of the Bartonella infection was identified.ConclusionThis is the first reported case of Bartonella endocarditis causing secondary cryoglobulinemia reported in the UK. The key learning points from this case include that Bartonella endocarditis can present as a cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis and should be considered in any differential when the cause of cryoglobulinaemia is not clear and to enquire about relevant exposures especially when culture-negative endocarditis is suspected.

Importance of early diagnosis and surgical treatment of calcified amorphous tumor-related native valve endocarditis caused by Escherichia coli: a case report

BackgroundUnlike Escherichia coli bacteremia, which is common, E. coli endocarditis is uncommon, particularly in patients with native valve, leading to its delayed diagnosis.Case presentationWe present a case of infective endocarditis caused by E. coli in a 78-year-old Japanese man with type 2 diabetes, involving persistent bacteremia and vegetation on the mitral valve (measuring 18 × 4.2 mm in diameter). He presented with recurrent fever after antimicrobial treatment for pyelonephritis. He received antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks and required surgical removal of a calcified amorphous tumor and vegetation with mitral valvuloplasty 7 days after admission. Despite an episode of multiple cerebral infarctions, he recovered fully from the infection.ConclusionsFollow-up blood cultures should be performed for Gram-negative bacilli bacteremia among patients with unknown focus and an atypical clinical course after treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical intervention are paramount to achieving good clinical outcomes.