Bartonella endocarditis in complex congenital heart disease.
Bartonella species are an important cause of culture-negative endocarditis, with recognized risk factors of alcoholism, homelessness, cat exposure, and pre-existing valvular disease. We report a case of Bartonella henselae endocarditis in a 36-year-old woman with complex congenital heart disease who presented with a 7-month history of hemolytic anemia, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and recurrent fevers. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed vegetations on the patient's native aortic valve and in the right ventricular to pulmonary artery conduit and associated bioprosthetic valve. Diagnosis of B. henselae was confirmed with serum antibody and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and tissue stains. The patient was treated successfully with surgical resection and prolonged antimicrobial therapy with ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and doxycycline. A review of the literature suggests prosthetic valves and complex congenital heart disease are risk factors for Bartonella endocarditis, and a high index of suspicion with antibody and PCR testing can expedite diagnosis and improve outcomes.
Hoffman
Risa M
RM
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. rhoffman@mednet.ucla.edu
AboulHosn
Jamil
J
Child
John S
JS
Pegues
David A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000382:microbiology; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D002443:Ceftriaxone; D004318:Doxycycline