title: Rapidly destructive Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis.
abstract: A 29-year-old man with rapidly destructive Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis after mitral valve reconstruction is presented. Resistance to rifampin and teicoplanin occurred during antibiotic treatment resulting in clinical failure and valve destruction. Subsequently, the patient was successfully treated, by combining valve replacement with antibiotic therapy including quinupristin/dalfopristin, levofloxacin, and vancomycin. In conclusion, S. epidermidis can cause rapid valve destruction with large vegetations, and combination of surgery and antibiotic therapy may be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Raemistr. 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. annelies.zinkernagel@usz.ch
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Zinkernagel
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Speck
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruef
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zingg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berger-Bachi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Springer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents