Lactobacillus species endocarditis in an immunocompetent patient

Authors

  • Matheus Rocha Gonçalves Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas - São Paulo - SP - Brasil.
  • Dorival Julio Della Togna Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, Seção Médica de Endocardite - São Paulo - SP - Brasil.
  • Cely Saad Abboud Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, Serviço de Controle de Infecções Hospitalares - São Paulo - SP - Brasil.
  • Diego Feriani Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, Serviço de Controle de Infecções Hospitalares - São Paulo - SP - Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5935/2764-734X.e20230829

Keywords:

Subacute bacterial endocarditis, Lactobacillus, Antibiotics, Penicillin, Cardiac surgical procedures, Case report

Abstract

Lactobacillus are gram-positive, facultative or strictly anaerobic bacilli commonly found in the gastrointestinal and female genital tracts and are rare human pathogens. This report presents a rare case of infective endocarditis caused by a Lactobacillus species in a patient with no known immunodeficiency. After the patient presented with a subacute fever and symptoms of heart failure, echocardiography was performed, which revealed a growth on the mitral valve. Further, blood cultures taken at admission indicated the growth of Lactobacillus casei/paracasei/rhamnosus in all samples. The minimum inhibitory concentration of penicillin for the agent identified was 0.38 mg/L. The patient was treated with beta-lactam monotherapy for 6 weeks, followed by elective surgical removal of the affected valve component. Finally, patient’s condition progressed with good clinical response, no complications, and no recurrence of symptoms 45 days after discharge.

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Published

2023-10-27

How to Cite

Gonçalves, M. R., Togna, D. J. D., Abboud, C. S., & Feriani, D. (2023). Lactobacillus species endocarditis in an immunocompetent patient. Infections in Evidence, 2, e20230829. https://doi.org/10.5935/2764-734X.e20230829

Issue

Vol. 2 (2023)

Section

Case Reports

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