title: Mycobacterium fortuitum complex endocarditis-case report and literature review.
abstract: Endocarditis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum complex is a rare entity generally linked to the hospital environment. Only 18 cases have been published since 1966. Here we present a case of a female who developed an endocarditis due to Mycobacterium chelonae after valve replacement as well as a review of the literature. The course of this kind of endocarditis is generally subacute and the outcome is usually fatal. Blood cultures were positive in 75% of cases of metallic valve endocarditis, versus 20% in bioprostheses. The treatment must include antibiotics that have shown activity against these mycobacteria, such as amikacin, imipenem, cefoxitin, fluorinated quinolones and macrolides (especially clarithromycin). Surgical removal is recommended. Although the prognosis for the patient is poor, we should expect better outcomes with the use of new antibiotic regimens.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olalla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pombo
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aguado
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palenque
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Riopérez
mesh_terms: D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis