摘要
With the emergence of novel etiologic organisms, panresistance, and invasive medical care infective endocarditis continues to be evasive, requiring newer approaches and modified treatment guidelines. Presented here is the case of a 75-year-old male with history of systolic heart failure with an automatic internal cardioverter defibrillator(AICD) implantation and a prosthetic mitral valve who presented with generalized malaise and progressive shortness of breath for 6 d. He was found to have positive blood cultures for gram positive rod shaped bacteria identified as Corynebacterium straitum, but was not considered as the etiological pathogen initially as it a usual skin contaminant. Later this bacterium was found to be the causative agent for the patient's endocarditis. This case highlights the importance of identifying the role of this uncommon commensal in invasive disease. With the use of effective antibiotic regimen and awareness of these new pathogens in invasive disease, mortality and morbidity can be prevented with initiation of early appropriate therapy.
With the emergence of novel etiologic organisms, panresistance, and invasive medical care infective endocarditis continues to be evasive, requiring newer approaches and modified treatment guidelines. Presented here is the case of a 75-year-old male with history of systolic heart failure with an automatic internal cardioverter defibrillator(AICD) implantation and a prosthetic mitral valve who presented with generalized malaise and progressive shortness of breath for 6 d. He was found to have positive blood cultures for gram positive rod shaped bacteria identified as Corynebacterium straitum, but was not considered as the etiological pathogen initially as it a usual skin contaminant. Later this bacterium was found to be the causative agent for the patient's endocarditis. This case highlights the importance of identifying the role of this uncommon commensal in invasive disease. With the use of effective antibiotic regimen and awareness of these new pathogens in invasive disease, mortality and morbidity can be prevented with initiation of early appropriate therapy.
