Mitral Valve Subacute Endocarditis Caused by Abiotrophia Defectiva: A Case Report

<i>Abiotrophia defectiva</i> is a rare agent of endocarditis and subacute presentation may delay the diagnosis. We present the case of a 41-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital for further investigation regarding a consumptive syndrome with microcytic anaemia. Past medical hist...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Catarina Faria, Renato Guerreiro, Sofia Cruz, Marco Fernandes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Clinics and Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/11/1/22
Description
Summary:<i>Abiotrophia defectiva</i> is a rare agent of endocarditis and subacute presentation may delay the diagnosis. We present the case of a 41-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital for further investigation regarding a consumptive syndrome with microcytic anaemia. Past medical history included new-onset mitral insufficiency followed by an ischaemic stroke due to small vessel disease. Thoraco-abdominal computed tomography revealed a splenic infarction. In the presence of two ischaemic events associated with mitral valve disease of unknown aetiology, we considered the possibility of subacute endocarditis. Blood cultures were positive for <i>Abiotrophia defectiva</i>, and transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis. As a subacute presentation of endocarditis, the paucity of symptoms caused a five-month delay in diagnosis. New-onset valvular disease and a stroke in an otherwise healthy young patient should always prompt proper investigation. This case highlights several complications caused by septic emboli of undiagnosed and untreated endocarditis.
ISSN:2039-7283