Detection of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Endocarditis After Clearance of Vancomycin-Sensitive Enterococcus faecium Bacteremia.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal (VRE) bacteremia is associated with higher mortality rates and longer hospitalizations than vancomycin-sensitive enterococcal (VSE) bacteremia. A 67-year-old man with a right psoas abscess and pacemaker-associated tricuspid valve endocarditis in September 2020 grew VSE Enterococcus faecium from blood cultures that cleared after administration of intravenous vancomycin and gentamicin. Subsequently, he underwent tricuspid valve repair, pacemaker removal, and partial lead extraction. Valve and postoperative blood cultures grew VRE E. faecium, which cleared after administration of intravenous daptomycin. One VSE and two VRE isolates were collected and sequenced. All isolates belonged to E. faecium multilocus sequence type ST17 and were closely related, having <20 mutations in pairwise genome comparisons. Vancomycin resistance was due to the acquisition of a plasmid-encoded VanA operon. None of the isolates encoded the virulence factors asa1, gelE, cylA, or hyl; all encoded a homologue of efaAfm. VSE E. faecium, but not VRE E. faecium isolates, encoded a glucose transporter gene mutation. Two VRE E. faecium isolates formed more robust biofilms than the VSE E. faecium isolate (p < 0.001). The VRE E. faecium isolates, which generated larger biofilms than the VSE E. faecium isolate, could have remained protected in the heart valve and only caused bacteremia when disrupted during cardiac surgery. This study demonstrates that bacteria detected in the bloodstream of patients with endocarditis may not fully represent the organisms adherent to the cardiac valves or indwelling devices.

Infected tricuspid valve myxoma with Kodamaea ohmeri: Case report.

A 46-year-old male was having un-resolving fever for six weeks. Trans-esophageal echocardiography showed tricuspid valve myxoma (TVM). Kodamaea ohmeri was identified in 2 blood cultures and confirmed by 28S rDNA sequencing. Over three weeks of liposomal Amphotericin-B, fever has subsided thus indicated a clinical response. Subsequent echocardiography revealed no regression of suspected vegetation, and it was removed, and TV replacement was done. Histopathology revealed an infected myxoma and K. omeri was detected following 28S rDNA sequencing. For cardiac myxoma, excision is offered while for IE prolonged use of antifungals with or without vegetectomy is offered. So proper identification is important.

Tricuspid Valve Excision Complicated by Postoperative Gerbode Defect Following Recurrent Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report.

Tricuspid valve infective endocarditis is an increasingly common sequela of the opioid epidemic. While often managed medically, certain subsets of patients will require surgical intervention, including repair, replacement, and possibly even excision. Historically, simple valvectomy was performed in instances of recidivism and reinfection; however, reoperation and replacement has become the preferred treatment in the current era. Given the increasing incidence of intravenous drug use and the increase in the number of patients presenting with recurrent infections, simple valvectomy has regained favor in recent years. In this article, we present the management of a critically ill patient with recurrent tricuspid valve endocarditis who underwent tricuspid valvectomy that was complicated by a left ventricle to right atrium fistula and discuss some of the most important perioperative issues and complications for patients who undergo tricuspid valvectomy.

[Dyspnoea Due to Foreign Embolism after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty]. / Dyspnoe aufgrund eines Fremdkörper-Embolisats nach perkutaner Vertebroplastie.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: Emergency admission of a 66-years-old man with right-sided and partly breath-dependent chest pain in the interdisciplinary emergency room. The complaints existed for several days and had a progressive character. Purulent expectoration and fever were negated. There was a history of COPD with occasional pulmonary exacerbations. Several weeks before the current event, community-acquired pneumonia had been treated with antibiotics. Moreover, the patient reported on multiple spine surgery procedures performed in recent months. INVESTIGATIONS AND DIAGNOSIS: In transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), detection of a foreign body (Palacos) in the right ventricle, which was confirmed to be a toothpick-like structure in the supplementary CT scan of the thorax and the transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). TREATMENT AND COURSE: Foreign body extraction using right anterior mini thoracotomy. Subsequently, iatrogenic pneumothorax with bilateral nosocomial pneumonia and drainage. After short-term convalescence, renewed admission with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Under invasive ventilation, new left-sided pneumothorax was diagnosed, which was supplied with a Bülau drainage. Due to the detection of positive blood cultures, re-conducting of a TOE examination. Now first diagnosis of tricuspid valve endocarditis. Despite successful surgical biologic tricuspid valve replacement with an epicardial pacemaker electrode placement, the patient died approximately three quarters of a year after he became an emergency patient due to dyspnoea. DISCUSSION: The present case shows that a typical clinical symptom, associated with a previously known chronic illness, has to be reminded again and again of other and less common diseases. Even everyday diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are associated with a residual risk of possible complications.

Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis Following a Scorpion Sting: A Case Report.

Scorpion sting envenoming is a common pediatric emergency in the Moroccan southern areas. Cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiovascular manifestation of envenoming, resulting from the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system by the venom or from the direct effect of the venom toxins on the myocardium. Rare cases of infective endocarditis following a scorpion sting have been reported in the literature. We report a case of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis following a scorpion sting in a previously healthy eight-year-old child. The patient initially was managed medically before undergoing tricuspid valve replacement with a bioprosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful with a full recovery.

Distinct Subpopulations of Intravalvular Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Variable Susceptibility to Daptomycin in Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis.

We present a case of endocarditis wherein organisms cultured from different valve leaflets yielded different daptomycin susceptibilities from each other and from organisms obtained from peripheral blood culture. Genomic analyses showed mutations in mprF, purR, and agrA Pharmacokinetic simulations showed consistent activity of daptomycin plus beta-lactam against all subpopulations. This represents an opportunity to understand S. aureus evolution and fitness in vivo on daptomycin therapy and the role of beta-lactams to prevent the selection of daptomycin-resistant subpopulations.

Case Report: Coronary artery stent infection with mycotic aneurysm secondary to tricuspid valve infective endocarditis.

Coronary artery stent infection with mycotic aneurysm is a rare life-threatening complication following coronary angioplasty, usually requiring surgical intervention. Reaching and confirming the diagnosis remains the most challenging aspect of this complication. We describe an unusual case of bare metal stent infection and coronary artery aneurysm in the setting of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis, resulting in ST elevation myocardial infarction, with a favorable outcome after primary angioplasty and antibiotic therapy. In the current era of growth of coronary stent implantation, it's important for clinicians to consider and to prevent such potentially fatal events. The diagnosis process remains difficult and requires the association of multiple clinical, biological and imaging parameters. Although treatment modalities tend to favor surgery, we showed that coronary angioplasty could be a successful alternative solution.

Vancomycin induced DRESS syndrome (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) in a patient with tricuspid endocarditis.

A 57-year-old man presented for an elective pacemaker upgrade, complicated by the discovery of device infection. He had a background of complex congenital heart disease, including replacement of heart valves, and was treated for presumed infective endocarditis that was later confirmed by echocardiography. Antibiotic treatment, with intravenous vancomycin, was given as per the tissue sample sensitivities. On day 24 of treatment he deteriorated clinically, with the evolution of recurrent fever, epigastric pain, diarrhoea, widespread pruritic rash, lymphadenopathy and severe hypoxia over the subsequent 7-10 days. Blood tests revealed development of a marked eosinophilia, transaminitis and rising inflammatory markers. Further radiological imaging was non-diagnostic. On the basis of these clinical and biochemical features a diagnosis of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome was made. This led to the cessation of vancomycin, the offending agent and the referral for specialist immunology advice. He was subsequently treated with oral prednisolone and made a full recovery.

Septic coronary embolism in a deceptive case of presumed isolated tricuspid valve endocarditis.

A 46-year-old female presented with native tricuspid valve endocarditis complicated by a stroke with a hemorrhagic component. There was no evidence of intracardiac shunt nor left-sided valve involvement. Delayed surgery was planned to allow neurologic recovery, however, the patient developed an ST-elevation myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest from an occluded right posterior ventricular branch of the right coronary artery from a septic embolism. Repeat imaging demonstrated new aortic valve vegetation involving the right coronary cusp. This case highlights a unique sequence of events in a patient initially presenting with presumed isolated tricuspid valve vegetation.

Treatment of tricuspid valve endocarditis with daptomycin and linezolid therapy.

PURPOSE: A case report of the use of linezolid and daptomycin for the treatment of multidrug-resistant right-sided infective endocarditis is presented. SUMMARY: A 36-year-old patient with a history of intravenous drug use was hospitalized for treatment of native tricuspid valve endocarditis resulting in persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. During the admission the patient was unsuccessfully treated with vancomycin monotherapy (final E-test minimum inhibitory concentration, 4 µg/mL). The patient's treatment was switched to daptomycin and gentamicin, with no improvement in blood culture results over 4 days. Gentamicin was discontinued, and linezolid was administered in combination with daptomycin; bacteremia was cleared after 13 days of linezolid and daptomycin combination therapy. Due to daptomycin resistance (minimum inhibitory concentration, 4 µg/mL), gentamicin was substituted for daptomycin due to the former agent's synergistic effects with linezolid. After 23 days of therapy the patient was transferred to another facility for a tricuspid valve replacement procedure, which was completed without complications. The patient was transferred in stable condition to a skilled nursing facility to continue antibiotic therapy lasting 6 weeks from the date of surgery. The patient's blood cultures remained negative. CONCLUSION: A 36-year-old woman with resistant tricuspid valve endocarditis was successfully treated with linezolid in combination with daptomycin.

Tricuspid Valve Infective Endocarditis Due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in Intravenous Drug User.

Infective endocarditis is a high morbidity-mortality condition despite advancements in supportive care and medical therapy. One of the strongest risk factors is intravenous drug use, which has high prevalence in the Hawai'i population. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a rare but aggressive pathogen causing infective endocarditis. There is no strong evidence to guide management. We present a rare case of isolated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in an intravenous drug user causing septic pulmonary emboli and multiple abscesses. The patient was managed with combined 6-week ceftriaxone and 2-week gentamicin together with early tricuspid valve repair.

Polyamines and microbiota in bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve aortopathy.

Polyamines are small aliphatic cationic molecules synthesized via a highly regulated pathway and involved in general molecular and cellular phenomena. Both mammalian cells and microorganisms synthesize polyamines, and both sources may contribute to the presence of polyamines in the circulation. The dominant location for microorganisms within the body is the gut. Accordingly, the gut microbiota probably synthesizes most of the polyamines in the circulation in addition to those produced by the mammalian host cells. Polyamines are mandatory for cellular growth and proliferation. Established evidence suggests that the polyamine spermidine prolongs lifespan and improves cardiovascular health in animal models and humans through both local mechanisms, involving improved cardiomyocyte function, and systemic mechanisms, including increased NO bioavailability and reduced systemic inflammation. Higher levels of polyamines have been detected in non-dilated aorta of patients affected by bicuspid aortic valve congenital malformation, an aortopathy associated with an increased risk for thoracic ascending aorta aneurysm. In this review, we discuss metabolism of polyamines and their potential effects on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell function in vascular pathology of the thoracic ascending aorta associated with bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valve.

Tricuspid valve infective endocarditis complicated with multiple lung abscesses and thoracic empyema as different pathogens: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Only 4.1% of tricuspid valve IE cases require surgical intervention. The complication after tricuspid valve IE with lung abscess and empyema is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 38-year-old male (an intravenous drug abuser) diagnosed with tricuspid valve IE who underwent tricuspid valve replacement. The case was complicated by multiple lung abscesses and thoracic empyema. The pathogens causing the lung abscesses and empyema were Acinetobacter baumannii complex and Candida albicans, which were different from those causing the endocarditis. After 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment, chest X-ray revealed bilateral clear lung markings with only mild blunting of the right costophrenic angle. CONCLUSION: The pathogen causing the lung abscess is not always compatible with that causing the endocarditis. Thoracoscopic incision of the abscess with 4 to 6 weeks of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment is effective and safe.

Rare Simultaneous Left and Right-Sided Native Valve Infective Endocarditis Caused by Rare Bacterium.

Simultaneous left and right-sided native valve infective endocarditis (IE) is rare. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism for bilateral IE. Shunt diseases are common risk factors of both-sided IE. Streptococcus anginosus (S. anginosus) is usually associated with pyogenic infections, but rarely a cause of IE. Here we present an extremely rare case of simultaneous left and right-sided native valve IE affecting the mitral and tricuspid valves caused by S. anginosus in an adult patient that has not been reported in the literature previously, particularly without the most frequent predisposing factors of IE. A 66-year-old man was admitted due to generalized fatigue, chills, malaise, and intermittent fevers for 1 year. A grade III-IV/VI systolic murmur at the mitral area and a III/VI systolic murmur at the tricuspid area were noted on physical examination. Laboratory evaluation revealed an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level, and high fasting blood glucose. Blood culture was positive for S. anginosus. Echocardiography revealed vegetations in both sides of the heart: a large mitral valve vegetation with severe mitral regurgitation, as well as another vegetation on the tricuspid valve with moderate regurgitation. The case highlights a rare pathogen of both-sided IE, a rare presentation of S. anginosus infection, and several points worthy of note in echocardiography of IE.

Candida Dubliniensis Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis is a common complication in patients using intravenous drugs. Fungal endocarditis is a rare clinical entity and diagnosis are often delayed. Only a few cases of candida dubliniensis have been reported in the literature so far. These cases usually present in patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse. If a patient with valvular endocarditis continues to have fever despite antibiotics, then fungal infection should be suspected. Fungal endocarditis is usually treated surgically along with a prolonged course of antifungal treatment. We report an interesting case of a young female who initially presented with fever and chills and was subsequently found to have a significantly large tricuspid mass. Upon further study it was found to be of fungal origin which was later confirmed by biopsy cultures.

Isolated Tricuspid Valvectomy: A Series of cases with Intravenous Drug Abuse Associated Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management for tricuspid valve (TV) endocarditis is usually TV repair or replacement. When repair is not feasible, and concerns for patient recidivism preclude TV replacement, tricuspid valvectomy without replacement is an option to alleviate symptoms and allow time for addiction management. METHODS: We reviewed our institution's experience with isolated tricuspid valvectomy for cases of intravenous drug use (IVDU)-associated endocarditis (n = 7) from 2009 to 2017. RESULTS: The decision for tricuspid valvectomy was based on each patient's comorbid condition and realization of active IVDU. This intervention resulted in 100% perioperative and mid-term survival with a mean follow-up of 25.4 months. One patient required a valve replacement in the long term only after appropriate substance abuse management was completed. CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgeons increasingly encounter patients with active endocarditis who suffer from IVDU addiction. Drug addiction increases the risk for recurrent endocarditis and requires an effective management plan. Multidisciplinary endocarditis care teams may play a pivotal role in improving outcomes by better addressing addiction treatment.