Starakis I, Blikas A, Siagris D, Marangos M, Karatza C, Bassaris H. Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Caused by Acinetobacter lwoffi.
Cardiol Rev 2006;
14:45-9. [PMID:
16371766 DOI:
10.1097/01.crd.0000163801.67781.a2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We are reporting a case of recurrent prosthetic-valve endocarditis (PVE) caused by an unusual pathogen. The patient suffered 2 consecutive relapses of Acinetobacter lwoffi bacteremia, although he had completed a full course of treatment with antibiotics to which the microorganism was susceptible. He was finally successfully operated with replacement of the infected aortic valve. Acinetobacter spp are relatively low-grade but potentially virulent pathogens, and endocarditis caused by these species can be fulminant, accompanied by septic complications, and fatal. Although some patients with relapsed PVE may respond to a second course of antibiotics and medical treatment rather than early valve replacement is suggested in A lwoffi PVE, combined antibiotic treatment and early surgical intervention may be considered as the first option in these patients. There are only a few cases of Acinetobacter endocarditis in the literature, and it is the first case reported in Greece to our knowledge.
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