title: Streptococcus equinus endocarditis in a patient with pulmonary histiocytosis X.
abstract: Although Streptococcus equinus has been isolated from the human bowel in an appreciable percentage of the adult general population, it has only rarely been described as a human pathogen. Our report describes the occurrence of S. equinus endocarditis in a patient who had no history of pre-existing heart disease, but who showed evidence of a late-stage pulmonary histiocytosis X. Endocarditis resolved promptly after antibiotic treatment, but required aortic valve substitution. Abnormalities of the immune system that have been demonstrated in patients with histiocytosis X could explain the occurrence of endocarditis in this patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Udine School of Medicine, General Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sechi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*