Fatal Enterococcus durans aortic valve endocarditis: a case report and review of the literature

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Jun 8:2012:bcr0220125855. doi: 10.1136/bcr-02-2012-5855.

Abstract

Most enterococcal endocarditis is caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Enterococcus durans is a rare member of non-faecalis, non-faecium enterococcal species and is found in the intestines of animals. E durans endocarditis is a very rare infection-only two cases of endocarditis in humans have been reported in the literature-and usually associated with good outcomes when treated with appropriate antibiotics. We report the first case of fatal E durans endocarditis. This patient had end-stage liver disease with associated compromised immune status that likely contributed to the progression of disease in spite of appropriate antibiotic coverage and clearance of bacteraemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / microbiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Enterococcus / isolation & purification*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Liver Failure / etiology*
  • Liver Failure / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged