Streptococcus equinus endocarditis in a patient with pulmonary histiocytosis X.
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.
Sechi
L A
LA
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Udine School of Medicine, General Hospital, Italy.
Ciani
R
R
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*