Infectious endocarditis caused by Lactobacillus acidophilus in a patient with mistreated dental caries

Intern Med. 2012;51(12):1619-21. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.7294. Epub 2012 Jun 15.

Abstract

We present a rare case of infectious endocarditis caused by Lactobacillus acidophilus in a patient on long-term steroid use for autoimmune hepatitis. In vitro susceptibility-guided antibiotics with benzylpenicillin plus clindamycin and successive mitral annuloplasty resulted in a favorable outcome. Infectious endocarditis was suspected to be a complication of mistreated periodontal infection. Maintenance of oral hygiene is important in immunocompromised patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clindamycin / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dental Caries / complications*
  • Dental Caries / microbiology*
  • Dental Caries / therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / etiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / therapy
  • Female
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / etiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / therapy
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / complications
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus / isolation & purification
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus / pathogenicity*
  • Mitral Valve Annuloplasty
  • Oral Hygiene
  • Penicillin G / therapeutic use
  • Periodontitis / complications
  • Periodontitis / microbiology
  • Periodontitis / therapy
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Clindamycin
  • Prednisolone
  • Penicillin G