Identification of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus as the etiological agent in a case of culture-negative multivalve infective endocarditis by 16S rDNA PCR analysis of resected valvular tissue.
Today, PCR using broad-range primers is being used increasingly to detect pathogens from resected heart valves. Herein is described the first case of multivalve infective endocarditis where 16S rDNA PCR was used to detect a single pathogen from two affected valves in a 61-year-old man. Triple heart valve replacement was required despite six weeks of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The organism was confirmed as Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus, a member of the 'S. equinus/S. bovis' complex. To date, only one report has been made of human infection due to this organism. This may be due to the limited resolution of the routine diagnostic methods used and/or as a consequence of the complex nomenclature associated with this group of organisms.
Malkin
Joanne
J
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Kimmitt
Patrick T
PT
Ou
Hong-Yu
HY
Bhasker
Pretti S Santi
PS
Khare
Milind
M
Deng
Zixin
Z
Stephenson
Iain
I
Sosnowski
Andrew W
AW
Perera
Nelun
N
Rajakumar
Kumar
K
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics*; D016985:Streptococcus bovis / Q000235:genetics; D018502:Streptococcus equi / Q000235:genetics
D004275:DNA, Ribosomal