Schistosoma mansoni and endocarditis: from egg to free DNA detection in Egyptian patients and infected BALB/c mice.

With the growing incidence of closed schistosomiasis and uncommon presentations, there is a risk of the infection rate being underestimated. A study in Japan reported an unexplained case of endocarditis that was finally diagnosed as a complex Schistosoma japonicum infection; in the absence of advanced techniques, the diagnosis was delayed. We therefore set out to explore the incidence of Schistosoma mansoni in endocarditis patients coming from areas of Egypt where S. mansoni is endemic. We also investigated histopathological changes in the cardiac valves and the presence of cell-free parasite DNA (CFPD) in cardiac tissues of laboratory mice infected with S. mansoni. The study included 186 patients with the manifestations of infective endocarditis. Eggs were detected in the stool samples of 5.91% of patients. Seropositivity was reported in 23.66% of patients and antigen was detected in the urine samples of 10.21%. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), CFPD was detected in the blood of 6.98% of the endocarditis patients and 95% of the infected mice, while the cardiac samples of 45% of the mice tested positive for CFPD (means ± SD = 1390.2 ± 283.65, 2158.72 ± 1103.1 and 5.71 ± 2.91, respectively). Histopathological examination revealed abnormal collagen deposition, inflammatory cells and haemorrhagic pigmentation in the heart sections. Despite the low incidence of S. mansoni infection in the studied cohort, the presence of CFPD in the cardiac tissue of infected mice makes it necessary to: (1) investigate the hazards of CFPD deposition in endothelium-rich organs; and (2) test the potential of CFPD to trigger tissue inflammation, abnormal proliferation or genome integration.

Fever and large pericardial effusion after valve surgery: can be malaria.

A 37-year-old man underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease. One week after discharge, he presented with high-grade fever with chills, malaise, and shortness of breath. Echocardiography showed pericardial effusion with no evidence of vegetation. A blood malaria antigen test was positive for Plasmodium falciparum. One week after initiation of antimalarial medication, echocardiography revealed almost complete resolution of the pericardial effusion. Infective endocarditis is a common cause of fever after valvular heart surgery. Malaria can be considered in the differential diagnosis of fever and pericardial effusion after valvular surgery, especially in malaria-endemic countries.

Clinical diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum infection complicating infective endocarditis and liver cirrhosis.

Human infection with the parasite Schistosoma japonicum is rarely seen in Japan. Infection with the parasite is currently known to be endemic in China and South-east Asia, and chronic infection leads to the development of liver fibrosis, calcification and portal hypertension. We report a case of Schistosoma japonicum infection complicating infective endocarditis and liver cirrhosis. The non-invasive imaging findings and serological test were helpful to diagnose the infection with the parasite. Since Schistosoma japonicum infection is extremely rare in Japan, the diagnosis and evaluation of the patient's condition was delayed.

Surgical treatment of an Echinococcus cyst of the interventricular septum complicated by septic endocarditis, complete atrioventricular block, and rupture into the Valsalva sinus.

A 40-year-old man was emergently hospitalized because of high fever, a transient ischemic attack, and complete atrioventricular block. The diagnosis was endocarditis, cyst of the interventricular septum (IVS), and complete atrioventricular block. A temporary pacemaker was introduced, and the patient underwent surgery that included IVS cystectomy, ventricular septum plication, and aortic valve replacement. A permanent pacemaker was implanted during the early postoperative period. The patient was discharged from the medical center on day 9 after primary surgery. At the 4-month postoperative follow-up, the patient was found to be in normal condition. Patients with high temperature, heart rhythm and conduction disorders, and dyspnea of unknown etiology might be harboring Echinococcus despite the absence of primary liver or lung damage. Urgent surgical treatment is necessary even on suspicion of complicated hydatid damage to the heart.

Endocardite infecciosa valvular em uma cadela com endometrite: relato de Caso / Infectious endocarditis valvular in a dog with endometritis: case report

Objetiva-se relatar um caso de endocardite da válvula mitral em cadela da raça boxer, com seis anos de idade, que foi encaminhada ao HV da UFRPE. Durante o exame clínico o animal veio a óbito. Na necropsia notou-se no fígado um abscesso de três centímetros de diâmetro e no útero havia grande quantidade de material muco-purulento. No ventrículo esquerdo do coração percebiam-se várias formações de aspecto vegetativo aderidas à válvula mitral. À histopatologia evidenciou-se hiperplasia endometrial cística e endometrite purulenta. Nos fragmentos do coração constatou-se que as massas aderidas às válvulas eram constituídas por tecido conjuntivo frouxo, leucócitos, fibrina, debris celulares e sangue. Cultura da secreção uterina, do abscesso hepático e dos trombos valvulares revelou a presença de Staphylococcus sp. Os achados anatomo-histopatológicos e microbiológicos permitem concluir tratar-se de endocardite bacteriana valvular mitral vegetativa consequente a endometrite crônica.

The goal of this paper is present a case of mitral valve endocarditis in a 6-year-old female dog due chronic endometritis. The animal was guided to the Veterinary Hospital at Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil, but the animal died during the physical examination. At the necropsy, a liver abscess, 3,0 cm in diameter, uterine with purulent content and some also vegetative formations adhered to the mitral valve were visually recognized in the left ventricle of the heart. Histopathologically, cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH), and purulent endometritis were observed. In the valves a mass adhered was present, which one was constituted by slack conjunctive tissue, leukocyte, fibrin, cellular scraps and blood. Uterine secretion, hepatic abscess content and the valvular clots culture revealed the presence of Staphylococcus sp. In conclusion, this case revealed the importance of the anatomohistopathological and microbiological diagnosis for the vegetative mitral valve endocarditis in dogs with endometritis.

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis affecting the myocardium.

A case of 65-year-old male is reported who presented with myalgias, headache, and fever. He subsequently developed myocarditis and was diagnosed to have anaplasmosis on peripheral blood smear. He was treated with doxycycline for 30 days. A coronary angiogram done after recovery showed normal epicardial arteries. The case illustrates the importance of a careful examination of the peripheral smear, with a high index of clinical suspicion, which led to prompt treatment and complete recovery of the patient.

Cardiac echinococcosis: case report of unusual echocardiographic appearance.

An unusual echocardiographic appearance of a cardiac echinococcal lesion confirmed intraoperatively is described in a patient with nonspecific cardiac complaints. Although previous reports have emphasized the echolucent, often multiseptated nature of echinococcal lesions, such characteristics were absent in this case. Thus, in the appropriate clinical setting, echinococcal infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of solid mass lesions of the heart because the surgical approach may need to be altered.