Abiotrophia defectiva Endocarditis: A Rare Cause with Aggressive Systemic Embolisation and Need of Valve Replacement
  • Ana Cochicho Ramalho
    Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Lusíadas, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Sofia Marques Santos
    Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Lusíadas, Lisboa, Portugal
  • João Abecasis
    Cardiology Department, Hospital Lusíadas, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Rui Rodrigues
    Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Hospital Lusíadas, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Francisco Araujo
    Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Lusíadas, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Helena Cantante
    Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Lusíadas, Lisboa, Portugal

Keywords

Infective endocarditis, Abiotrophia defectiva, embolisation, vegetations, valve destruction

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a well-described infectious disease, one with increased morbidity and mortality being the third or fourth most common life-threatening infection syndrome.
Abiotrophia defectiva is a non-motile, catalase negative, Gram-positive coccus in a chain, which can be isolated from the oral cavity, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts. IE due to this agent is rare and associated with heart valve destruction, congestive heart failure, and high embolisation rates, these being the major mortality causes.
We present a case of IE due to this agent, complicated with a stroke, and splenic and renal infarction, with the need for aortic valve replacement. 
This article highlights the gaps of knowledge left by the rarity of this disease, which range from its diagnosis to its treatment, and what we need to mitigate such gaps, supported with a case description of a successful treatment of this infection.

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    Published: 2023-02-03
    Issue: 2023: Vol 10 No 1 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Cochicho Ramalho A, Marques Santos S, Abecasis J, Rodrigues R, Araújo F, Cantante H. Abiotrophia defectiva Endocarditis: A Rare Cause with Aggressive Systemic Embolisation and Need of Valve Replacement. EJCRIM 2023;10 doi:10.12890/2023_003702.