Infective endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a patient with atopic dermatitis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common condition in the United Kingdom with the prevalence varying from 21% in infants aged 0-6 months to 6.4% at the age of 16 years. Patients with AD experience high rates of colonization of their skin surfaces by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In severe AD there is a potential risk of staphylococcal bacteremia and invasive infection such as acute endocarditis.


METHODS
We report a case of acute endocarditis with mitral valve destruction caused by S. aureus in a 30-year-old man with severe AD. The patient received intensive inpatient treatment with antibiotics and underwent successful mitral valve replacement and skin treatment for AD.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with severe AD are at higher risk of staphylococcal bacteremia and endocarditis. Staphylococcal endocarditis has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of febrile illness in patients with uncontrolled atopic dermatitis.
Mohiyiddeen
Gadha
G
Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology, Tameside General Hospital, Lancashire, UK. gaadha@yahoo.com
Brett
Ian
I
Jude
Edward
E