Late-onset native valve endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roth, Sophie; Ehrlich, Tristan; Schäfers, Hans-Joachim; Becker, Sören L.
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 101(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 3
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Cardiac surgery -- Clinical microbiology -- Diagnosis -- Emerging pathogens -- Endocarditis; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii is an emerging pathogen that causes granulomatous mastitis. Nongynecological infections due to this pathogen have rarely been reported. We describe a case of native-valve endocarditis due to C. kroppenstedtii . We review the literature on the diagnosis and anti-infective treatment options. Abstract: Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii is an emerging cause of granulomatous mastitis and recurrent breast abscesses in women, but data on its clinical relevance in nongynecological disease conditions are limited. Here, we report the first case of a late-onset endocarditis of a native aortic valve in a 73-year-old male patient who presented with symptomatic aortic insufficiency. Echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography revealed the perforation of the noncoronary cusp and a large perivalvular abscess cavity. Hence, the surgical replacement of the aortic valve and aortic root were performed. Intraoperatively obtained tissue specimens grew C. kroppenstedtii and the patient made a full recovery after a 6-week course of antibiotic treatment. We briefly review the literature pertaining to antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of C. kroppenstedtii and available treatment recommendations. Our report calls for further studies to assess the role of this bacterium as a causative agent of infections other than granulomatous mastitis.