[Propionibacterium acnes infectious endocarditis].
BACKGROUND
Propionibacterium acnes, a Gram positive microaerophilic bacteria is considered to have a low level of virulence. Nevertheless, it can be associated with infective endocarditis. We report 2 cases and a review of the literature.


METHODS
The first man developed an acute prosthetic valve infective endocarditis and died. The second case was also a prosthetic valve infective endocarditis in a patient who developed infectious spondylitis.


CONCLUSIONS
P. acnes is an uncommon causal agent in infective endocarditis and appears to have a predilectio for prosthetic valves. A prior history of skin infection is rare. P. acnes grow quite slowly, often requiring 7 to 14 days for identification. All isolates of P. acnes from blood or valve do not necessarily mean contamination.
Durupt
S
S
Service des Maladies infectieuses, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Lyon.
Boibieux
A
A
Ballet-Mechain
M
M
Chaumentin
G
G
Tremeau
G
G
Roure
C
C
Peyramond
D
D
D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence
Endocardites infectieuses à Propionibacterium acnes.