title: Fatal prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Campylobacter fetus.
abstract: Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus has a predilection for vascular endothelium. This report describes a case of a prosthetic valve infective endocarditis due to this microorganism. Despite adequate antibiotic combination treatment, valvular vegetations and perivalvular suppurative complications evolved, leading to valvular dysfunction, heart failure and death. Only three other cases of C. fetus prosthetic valve endocarditis have been described previously. Campylobacter fetus bacteraemia must be considered cautiously, because of the risk of late cardiac or vascular complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Peetermans
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Man
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moerman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van de Werf
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000209:etiology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002168:Campylobacter fetus; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents