Infective endocarditis caused by unusual Gram-positive pathogens: Report of 4 patients

• Published in: Folia microbiologica Vol. 47; no. 6; pp. 737 - 741
• Main Authors: BENES, J, PICHA, D, KABELKOVA, M, DZUPOVA, O, HOROVA, B, GABRIELOVA, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Praha Academia 01-12-2002
• Subjects: Bacterial diseases; Bacterial endocarditis, myocarditis and pericarditis. Bacterial diseases of the aorta, limb vessels and lymphatic vessels; Biological and medical sciences; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Human bacterial diseases; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Disease development; Human; Gemella; Cardiovascular disease; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Infection; Streptococcaceae; Antibiotic; Streptococcus; Treatment; Gram positive bacteria; Heart disease; Surgery; Pathogenic; Endocardial disease; Endocarditis; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Actinomycetes; Corynebacteriaceae; Microorganism
• ISSN: 0015-5632; 1874-9356
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02818681

Of a total of 81 patients hospitalized in the infectious diseases department in 1990-2000 with infectious endocarditis caused by Gram-positive pathogen, unusual etiological agents were found in several cases:Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, andGemella morbillorum. Cardiac defects were present in the latter two patients: bicuspid aortic valve and tetralogy of Fallot. Two patients were successfully treated with antibiotics only and one patient with antibiotics and surgery. The patient withC. diphtheriae endocarditis died due to progressive sepsis and multiple organ failure.