title: A case of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Streptococcus constellatus as a rare agent of endocarditis.
abstract: We present a case of prosthetic valve endocarditis, which was caused by a rare etiological agent, Streptococcus constellatus. In our case, transesophageal echocardiography showed a large and broad abscess formation throughout the patient's aortic prosthetic valve ring and left atrium. Despite specific intravenous antibiotic therapy, the infection was uncontrollable, and the patient underwent surgical treatment. The pathogen rarely causes endocarditis, but it is known to have a strong potential to form abscess, and therefore its infection may be more serious than other Streptococcus species. Our case seems to be the first report of surgical treatment of PVE caused by S. constellatus. As in our case, transesophageal echocardiography is useful for the detection of vegetation and abscess, and early cardiac surgery may be a more appropriate therapeutic approach for endocarditis caused by S. constellatus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Sakakibara Heart Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Keitaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahara
authors.forename: Mitsuhiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tobaru
authors.forename: Shuichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takanashi
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Umemura
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sumiyoshi
authors.forename: Hitonobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tomoike
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D034365:Streptococcus constellatus
keywords: Prosthetic valve endocarditis; Streptococcus constellatus