Pseudomonas aeruginosa: An Unusual Culprit of Left-Sided Native Valve Infective Endocarditis.

Endocarditis refers to infection or inflammation of the endocardium, and various pathogens can be involved in infective endocarditis (IE). Endocarditis is usually caused by bacteremia in patients with risk factors, including IV drug abuse, indwelling central venous or urinary catheters, recent dental infections, and implantable cardiac devices. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an extremely rare causative organism in IE, predominantly among IV drug users and involving right-sided valves. Left-sided native valve P. aeruginosa IE without established risk factors is uncommon. We present a case of a 68-year-old male with no traditional IE risk factors who presented with intermittent fevers. Blood cultures grew P. aeruginosa, and transesophageal echocardiography revealed posterior mitral valve vegetation. The patient received broad-spectrum IV antibiotics, which were eventually narrowed down to IV cefepime, guided by culture antimicrobial sensitivities. Although the literature describes various risks for P. aeruginosa IE, it can still occur in the absence of traditional predisposing factors. Due to this organism's rapid resistance acquisition and the complication of septic emboli, an expeditious diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics and/or valve surgery are vital to reducing mortality associated with this entity.

Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT Proved Valvular Endocarditis in a Native Valve Patient.

A 79-year-old woman with a background history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, alcoholic liver disease, and osteoporosis presented to the hospital with fever and confusion. Based on the initial investigations, it was challenging to identify the primary source of infection. Positive group G streptococcus on blood cultures raised the suspicion of uncommon infective endocarditis (IE). Two transthoracic echocardiographic studies were performed a week apart, and both were inconclusive. She was also diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and the decision for anticoagulation became difficult as the clinical suspicion for IE was very high. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT confirmed the diagnosis of native valve endocarditis (NVE), and the possible complication related to anticoagulation was prevented. Though 18F-FDG PET/CT is commonly used to evaluate prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and IE related to cardiac devices and catheters, its role and applicability to evaluate challenging cases of NVE could be entertained.

Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Endocarditis of a Native Valve: A Rare Case Presentation.

Salmonella species is a rare cause of infective endocarditis that commonly involves a prosthetic or a previously damaged heart valve. We present a case of a 25-year-old young man with a one and a half month history of cough, fever, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis. Clinical examination revealed bilateral mid-zone crackles, palpable tip of the spleen, and an early diastolic murmur in the aortic (A2) area. Initial laboratory results indicated anemia with leukocytosis, raised inflammatory markers, and low serum albumin. Blood cultures showed the growth of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi. A radiological workup showed multiple aortic valve vegetation. Salmonella endocarditis was diagnosed based on Duke's criteria. The patient was treated with culture-sensitive antibiotics and subsequently showed significant clinical recovery. This case highlights a rare multidrug-resistant Salmonella endocarditis of a native valve. It also emphasizes the difficulties in making a diagnosis and the benefit of using a multidisciplinary strategy to manage challenging clinical manifestations.

Endocarditis infecciosa de válvula nativa: factores asociados a resultados adversos / Mortality predictors in patients with native valve infec tive endocarditis

Resumen Introducción : La mortalidad de la endocarditis infec ciosa (EI) en Argentina continúa siendo elevada. El obje tivo del trabajo fue describir las características clínicas e identificar factores asociados a mortalidad en pacientes con EI de válvula nativa. Métodos : Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva que inclu yó pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de EI de válvula nativa internados durante 2011-2021. Resultados : Se incluyeron 129 pacientes con una edad promedio de 66±17 años. El organismo responsa ble más frecuente (38.8%, n = 50) fue el Staphylococcus aureus (SA). El 63.6% presentó criterios de indicación quirúrgica. La mortalidad durante la internación fue del 22.5%. En el análisis multivariado que incluyó índice de comorbilidad Charlson, infección por SA y la presencia de criterios de indicación quirúrgica, se observó un OR ajustado de mortalidad de 1.32 (IC95% 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (IC95% 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) y 4.14 (IC95% 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectivamente. En el análisis mul tivariado para mortalidad alejada que agregó el criterio quirúrgico y la realización de cirugía durante la inter nación, se observó un OR ajustado de 1.62 (IC95% 1.31- 2.00; p < 001), 0.77 (IC95% 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (IC95% 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) y 0.21 (IC95% 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respectivamente. Conclusiones : La mortalidad de la EI se asoció al grado de comorbilidad previa, a la forma de presenta ción y, en relación inversa, a la realización oportuna del tratamiento quirúrgico.

Abstract Introduction : Mortality of infective endocarditis (IE) in Argentina continues to be high. The aim objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with native valve IE. Methods : Retrospective cohort study including adult patients with diagnosis of native valve IE, hospitalized during 2011-2021. Results : A total of 129 patients with a mean age of 66±17 years were included. The most frequent respon sible organism was Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (38.8%). Surgical indication criteria were present in 63.6% of the patients. Mortality during hospitalization was 22.5% .In the multivariate analysis that included Charlson comorbidity index, SA infection and the presence of surgical indication criteria, an adjusted OR of mor tality of 1.32 (95%CI 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (95%CI 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) and 4.14 (95%CI 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectively, was observed. In the multivariate analysis for long term mortality, that added surgical indication criteria and the performance of surgery during hospitalization, an adjusted OR of 1.62 (CI95% 1.31-2.00; p<001), 0.77 (95%CI 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (95%CI 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) and 0.21 (95%CI 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respec tively, was observed. Conclusions : Mortality in IE was associated with the degree of previous comorbidity, with the presence of surgical indication criteria and, inversely, with the timely completion of surgical treatment.

Native valve endocarditis caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum in a patient of carcinoma breast.

We report an unusual case of native mitral valve endocarditis in a patient with carcinoma breast in remission. She presented with intermittent fever for 4 weeks. The patient had a chemo port in situ. Blood cultures flagged positive on the 3rd day of incubation. Staining revealed branching acid-fast bacilli, which were subsequently identified as Mycobacterium fortuitum using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The patient responded well to medical management alone. Only two such cases have been reported from India previously.

Infective endocarditis and septic arthritis caused by Corynebacteriumstriatum.

Corynebacterium striatum occasionally causes nosocomial infections, such as catheter-related bloodstream infection and pneumonia; however, C. striatum-related infective endocarditis or septic arthritis is uncommon. We present the case of an 85-year-old woman with infective endocarditis at the native valve and septic arthritis at the native shoulder joint caused by C. striatum. The patient was admitted for a 10-day history of fever and right shoulder pain. She had no history of artificial device implantation, injury, arthrocentesis, or hospitalization. A physical examination revealed conjunctival petechiae, a systolic heart murmur, and right shoulder joint swelling. C. striatum was observed in two blood culture sets. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed vegetation in the right aortic coronary cusp. Arthrocentesis at the right shoulder aspirated pyogenic fluid and C. striatum was detected in the culture. The patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditis and septic arthritis caused by C. striatum, and ampicillin was administered based on antimicrobial susceptibility test results. The patient's condition was initially stable; however, she developed pulmonary congestion on day 56 and eventually died. An autopsy demonstrated perforation of the aortic left coronary cusp with vegetation. C. striatum may cause native valve endocarditis and native joint septic arthritis.

[Mortality predictors in patients with native valve infective endocarditis]. / Endocarditis infecciosa de válvula nativa: factores asociados a resultados adversos.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality of infective endocarditis (IE) in Argentina continues to be high. The aim objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with native valve IE. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including adult patients with diagnosis of native valve IE, hospitalized during 2011-2021. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients with a mean age of 66±17 years were included. The most frequent responsible organism was Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (38.8%). Surgical indication criteria were present in 63.6% of the patients. Mortality during hospitalization was 22.5% .In the multivariate analysis that included Charlson comorbidity index, SA infection and the presence of surgical indication criteria, an adjusted OR of mortality of 1.32 (95%CI 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (95%CI 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) and 4.14 (95%CI 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectively, was observed. In the multivariate analysis for long term mortality, that added surgical indication criteria and the performance of surgery during hospitalization, an adjusted OR of 1.62 (CI95% 1.31-2.00; p<001), 0.77 (95%CI 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (95%CI 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) and 0.21 (95%CI 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respectively, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in IE was associated with the degree of previous comorbidity, with the presence of surgical indication criteria and, inversely, with the timely completion of surgical treatment.

Introducción: La mortalidad de la endocarditis infecciosa (EI) en Argentina continúa siendo elevada. El objetivo del trabajo fue describir las características clínicas e identificar factores asociados a mortalidad en pacientes con EI de válvula nativa. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva que incluyó pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de EI de válvula nativa internados durante 2011-2021. Resultados: Se incluyeron 129 pacientes con una edad promedio de 66±17 años. El organismo responsable más frecuente (38.8%, n = 50) fue el Staphylococcus aureus (SA). El 63.6% presentó criterios de indicación quirúrgica. La mortalidad durante la internación fue del 22.5%. En el análisis multivariado que incluyó índice de comorbilidad Charlson, infección por SA y la presencia de criterios de indicación quirúrgica, se observó un OR ajustado de mortalidad de 1.32 (IC95% 1.10-1.57; p = 0.003), 2.75 (IC95% 1.11-6.8; p = 0.028) y 4.14 (IC95% 1.34-12; p = 0.013), respectivamente. En el análisis multivariado para mortalidad alejada que agregó el criterio quirúrgico y la realización de cirugía durante la internación, se observó un OR ajustado de 1.62 (IC95% 1.31- 2.00; p < 001), 0.77 (IC95% 0.31-1.93; p = 0.58), 7.49 (IC95% 2.07-27.07; p = 0.002) y 0.21 (IC95% 0.06-0.70; p = 0.01), respectivamente. Conclusiones: La mortalidad de la EI se asoció al grado de comorbilidad previa, a la forma de presentación y, en relación inversa, a la realización oportuna del tratamiento quirúrgico.

Contemporary Features and Management of Endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis is a rare but devastating disease. Morbidity and mortality rates have failed to improve despite new technological advances. The disease has evolved over time with new significant populations at risk-most notably those with prosthetic valves or implantable cardiovascular devices. These devices pose new challenges for achieving a timely and accurate diagnosis of infection. While the modified Duke criteria is accepted as the gold standard for diagnosing native valve endocarditis, it has been shown to have significantly inferior sensitivity when it comes to identifying infections related to right-heart endocarditis, prosthetic valves, and indwelling cardiac devices. Additionally, prosthetic valves and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices can exhibit shadowing and artifact, rendering transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography results inconclusive or even normal. Having a keen awareness of the varying clinical presentations, as well as emerging valvular imaging modalities such as F-fluorodeoxyglucose cardiac positron-emission tomography plus computed tomography, promises to improve the evaluation and diagnosis of infective endocarditis. However, indications for appropriate use of these studies and guidance on modern clinical management are still needed.

Contemporary Clinical Profile of Left-Sided Native Valve Infective Endocarditis: Influence of the Causative Microorganism.

Studies focused on the clinical profile of native valve endocarditis are scarce and outdated. In addition, none of them analyzed differences depending on the causative microorganism. Our objectives are to describe the clinical profile at admission of patients with left-sided native valve infective endocarditis in a contemporary wide series of patients and to compare them among the most frequent etiologies. To do so, we conducted a prospective, observational cohort study including 569 patients with native left-sided endocarditis enrolled from 2006 to 2019. We describe the modes of presentation and the symptoms and signs at admission of these patients and compare them among the five more frequent microbiological etiologies. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Enterococci endocarditis patients were the oldest (71 ± 11 years), and episodes caused by Streptococci viridans were less frequently nosocomial (4%). The neurologic, cutaneous or renal modes of presentation were more typical in Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis (28%, p = 0.002), the wasting syndrome of Streptococcus viridans (49%, p < 0.001), and the cardiac in Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Enterococci and unidentified microorganism endocarditis (45%, 49% and 56%, p < 0.001). The clinical signs agreed with the mode of presentation. In conclusion, the modes of presentation and the clinical picture at admission were tightly associated with the causative microorganism in patients with left-sided native valve endocarditis.

Surgical Challenges in Infective Endocarditis: State of the Art.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is still a life-threatening disease with frequent lethal outcomes despite the profound changes in its clinical, microbiological, imaging, and therapeutic profiles. Nowadays, the scenario for IE has changed since rheumatic fever has declined, but on the other hand, multiple aspects, such as elderly populations, cardiovascular device implantation procedures, and better use of multiple imaging modalities and multidisciplinary care, have increased, leading to escalations in diagnosis. Since the ESC and AHA Guidelines have been released, specific aspects of diagnostic and therapeutic management have been clarified to provide better and faster diagnosis and prognosis. Surgical treatment is required in approximately half of patients with IE in order to avoid progressive heart failure, irreversible structural damage in the case of uncontrolled infection, and the prevention of embolism. The timing of surgery has been one of the main aspects discussed, identifying cases in which surgery needs to be performed on an emergency (within 24 h) or urgent (within 7 days) basis, irrespective of the duration of antibiotic treatment, or cases where surgery can be postponed to allow a brief period of antibiotic treatment under careful clinical and echocardiographic observation. Mainly, guidelines put emphasis on the importance of an endocarditis team in the handling of systemic complications and how they affect the timing of surgery and perioperative management. Neurological complications, acute renal failure, splenic or musculoskeletal manifestations, or infections determined by multiresistant microorganisms or fungi can affect long-term prognosis and survival. Not to be outdone, anatomical and surgical factors, such as the presence of native or prosthetic valve endocarditis, a repair strategy when feasible, anatomical extension and disruption in the case of an annular abscess (mitral valve annulus, aortic mitral curtain, aortic root, and annulus), and the choice of prosthesis and conduits, can be equally crucial. It can be hard for surgeons to maneuver between correct pre-operative planning and facing unexpected obstacles during intraoperative management. The aim of this review is to provide an overview and analysis of a broad spectrum of specific surgical scenarios and how their challenging management can be essential to ensure better outcomes and prognoses.

A case of Lactobacillus jensenii associated native valve endocarditis.

Lactobacillus jensenii is rarely reported as a cause of endocarditis in immunocompetent patients. We describe a case of Lactobacillus jensenii associated native valve endocarditis that was identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) technology. While most Lactobacillus species are generally resistant to vancomycin, Lactobacillus jensenii is frequently susceptible, but treatment requires accurate susceptibility results followed by timely medical and surgical intervention. Probiotic use in patients can be a risk factor for infection with Lactobacillus species.

Native Valve Endocarditis Caused by Nocardia asteroides in an Immunocompetent Host: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Nocardia species are a rare cause of infective endocarditis (IE). We describe a case of native valve endocarditis caused by Nocardia asteroides in a 38-year-old Hispanic male with no apparent environmental exposures or risk factors for IE. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation, prompting emergent replacement of the valve. Nocardia asteroides were isolated from the tissue culture of the mitral valve. MRI of the brain also demonstrated innumerable micronodular intra-axial lesions throughout the brain, consistent with disseminated nocardiosis. The patient was treated with intravenous trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, meropenem, and amikacin for a six-week course, followed by oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and minocycline for 12 months. Follow-up after 18 months revealed no evidence of relapse. Although several cases of endocarditis due to Nocardia asteroides have been reported in immunocompromised hosts, to the best of our knowledge we believe the present case is the first to describe native valve endocarditis by Nocardia asteroides in an immunocompetent host with no apparent risk factors for IE.

A Complicated Clinical Course of Community-Acquired Staphylococcus aureus Infective Endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the heart's endocardial surface, heart valves, or implanted cardiac devices, with the most common causative organism being Staphylococcus aureus. The clinical presentation of IE can be variable, with some patients presenting with multisystemic complications, including renal, pulmonary, cutaneous, and neurologic complications. Cerebral infarction is the most common complication of IE. Here we present a case of a young male with S. aureus IE of a native cardiac valve who developed multiple complications during his clinical course.

Concomitant transcatheter transfemoral double native valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis and severe mitral stenosis with mitral annular calcification.

Concomitant mitral and aortic valve stenosis in a patient with mitral annular calcification and porcelain aorta poses a unique problem to the surgical team. Transcatheter aortic and mitral valve replacements in native valves offer a viable option for such selected group of patients. We present the case of a 54-year-old male who presented with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and severe mitral stenosis (MS) but was deemed high risk for surgery owing to intense calcification of the aorta and mitral annular calcification, and successfully underwent transcatheter double native valve replacement.

Native and Prosthetic Simultaneously Double Valve Infective Endocarditis with Enterococcus faecalis-Case-Based Review.

Infective endocarditis is a severe infective heart disease, commonly involving native or prosthetic valves. It frequently presents with univalvular involvement and simultaneous double valve or multivalvular involvement is rarely described. The third leading cause of infective endocarditis worldwide is Enterococcus faecalis, which is associated with high mortality rates despite important advances in antimicrobial therapy. It develops secondary to enterococcal bacteremia, with its origin from the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract and predominantly affecting the elderly population with multiple comorbidities. Clinical presentation is usually less typical, and the treatment is challenging. It can be marked by antibiotic resistance, side effects, and subsequent complications. Surgical treatment can be considered if deemed appropriate. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case-based narrative review of Enterococcus faecalis double valve endocarditis involving both the aortic native and prosthetic mitral valve, highlighting the clinical characteristics, treatment, and complications of this condition.

Multimodality Imaging Diagnosis in Infective Endocarditis.

Imaging is an important tool in the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis (IE). Echocardiography is an essential examination, especially in native valve endocarditis (NVE), but its diagnostic accuracy is reduced in prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). The diagnostic ability is superior for transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), but a negative test cannot exclude PVE. Both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and TEE can provide normal or inconclusive findings in up to 30% of cases, especially in patients with prosthetic devices. New advanced non-invasive imaging tests are increasingly used in the diagnosis of IE. Nuclear medicine imaging techniques have demonstrated their superiority over TEE for the diagnosis of PVE and cardiac implantable electronic device infective endocarditis (CIED-IE). Cardiac computed tomography angiography imaging is useful in PVE cases with inconclusive TTE and TEE investigations and for the evaluation of paravalvular complications. In the present review, imaging tools are described with their values and limitations for improving diagnosis in NVE, PVE and CIED-IE. Current knowledge about multimodality imaging approaches in IE and imaging methods to assess the local and distant complications of IE is also reviewed. Furthermore, a potential diagnostic work-up for different clinical scenarios is described. However, further studies are essential for refining diagnostic and management approaches in infective endocarditis, addressing limitations and optimizing advanced imaging techniques across different clinical scenarios.

Native valve, prosthetic valve, and cardiac device-related infective endocarditis: A review and update on current innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening microbial infection of native and prosthetic heart valves, endocardial surface, and/or indwelling cardiac device. Prevalence of IE is increasing and mortality has not significantly improved despite technological advances. This review provides an updated overview using recent literature on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, imaging, causative pathogens, treatment, and outcomes in native valve, prosthetic valve, and cardiac device-related IE. In addition, the experimental approaches used in IE research to improve the understanding of disease mechanisms and the current diagnostic pipelines are discussed, as well as potential innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This will ultimately help towards deriving better diagnostic tools and treatments to improve IE patient outcomes.

A case series of Corynebacterium striatum native valve infective endocarditis.

Corynebacterium species isolated in blood cultures are commonly dismissed as a contaminant. They are also recognized as an uncommon pathogen in infective endocarditis. We report two cases of native valve endocarditis due to Corynebacterium striatum. The first patient, a 36-year-old female with hemolytic anemia, whose risk factor for endocarditis was a Port-a-Cath (Smiths Medical, Los Angeles, California) used for routine blood transfusions. She was diagnosed with triple valve endocarditis via transthoracic echocardiogram. Her multiple comorbidities made her a poor surgical candidate for valve replacement and she elected to go on hospice care after antibiotic treatment completion. The second patient, a 46-year-old, was found to have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in addition to persistent Corynebacterium striatum bacteremia. A transthoracic echocardiogram was highly suggestive of aortic valve endocarditis. A confirmatory transesophageal echocardiogram was unable to be obtained given his clinical instability and COVID-19 status. Unfortunately, this patient expired due to complications of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. We highlight the need for prompt recognition of risk factors of infective endocarditis due to uncommon pathogens that may aid in the diagnosis and treatment, while utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. Learning objective: The aim of this case series is to emphasize the importance of Corynebacterium species as a cause of native valve infectious endocarditis and to illustrate the challenges it poses in diagnosis and management.

Multimodality imaging in the diagnosis of bioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis: A case report.

Introduction: Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVE) is a diagnostic challenge even in the era of multimodality cardiovascular imaging. Case presentation: The patient was a 67-year-old male with a three-year history of bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement who presented with persistent fever and negative blood cultures. The initial transthoracic echocardiography revealed a thickened aortic root. An abscess formation was visualized upon subsequent three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT). The patient underwent an urgent necrotic tissue debridement and a redo Bentall surgery. The real-time polymerase chain reaction of excised tissues was positive for Streptococcus. Clinical discussion: The diagnosis of PVE and its complications requires the integration of clinical, microbiological, and serial imaging data. Although advanced imaging modalities like PET/CT allow a timely diagnosis and management, their routine use in resource-limited scenarios is difficult. Conclusion: Multimodality cardiovascular imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of PVE. Serial echocardiographic and clinical assessments are possible alternatives when the access to advanced cardiovascular imaging modalities is limited.