Keywords
enterococcus
polyarthritis
aorta
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction :
Infective endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis, affecting the aortic valve, is rare in young immunocompetent individuals. The aim of this report was to present a case of aortic endocarditis due to Enterococcus faecalis.
Observation :
The patient, a 36-year-old woman, presented with dyspnea and acute polyarthritis associated with fever. Physical examination revealed an infectious syndrome, global heart failure, and aortic regurgitation murmur. Echocardiography diagnosed subacute aortic endocarditis. Laboratory tests indicated an inflammatory syndrome. Blood cultures isolated Enterococcus faecalis which was sensitive to vancomycin and amikacin. The diagnosis of infective endocarditis complicated by septic polyarthritis was established. Treatment with a dual antibiotic regimen for four weeks led to rapid improvement, with the vegetation disappearing.
Conclusion :
This case underscores the importance of optimal management of endocarditis, particularly those caused by Enterococcus faecalis, extending beyond the treatment of cardiac complications alone.
References
1. Iung B. Endocardite infectieuse. Épidémiologie, physiopathologie et anatomopathologie. Presse Médicale. 2019;48(5):513-21.
2. Ibara-Onguema, Junior Rocyr and Othende Franck et al. Aorto-right Ventricular Fistula: A Rare and Severe Complication in a Young Patient with Double Localization of Infective Endocarditis. Cardiology and Angiology: An International Journal, 2023. 12 (3). pp. 41-45.
3. Argote C, Colsy M, Collinet P, Touchard P. Endocardite aortique aiguë à Enterococcus faecalis avec multiples emboles septiques périphériques chez un toxicomane de 39 ans. Ann Fr Anesth Réanimation 2007;26(12):1059-62.
4. Ouamri M, Airapetian N, Mahjoub Y, Delcuze A, Maizel J, Tribouilloy C, Zogheib E, Dupont H. Pronostic des endocardites à entérocoques en réanimation. Anesthésie & Réanimation. 2015;1(Suppl 1):A215. DOI: 10.1016/j.anrea.2015.07.328.
5. Hathaway QA, Balar AB, Mallicoat TA, Voss JA, Amin MS, Lakhani DA, et al. Aortic root abscess from Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis: Case report and brief review of the literature. Radiol Case Rep. 2022;17(11):4193-8.
6. Nappi F, Avtaar Singh SS, Jitendra V, Fiore A. Bridging Molecular and Clinical Sciences to Achieve the Best Treatment of Enterococcus faecalis Endocarditis. Microorganisms. 2023;11(10):2604.
7. Habib G, Erba PA, Iung B, Donal E, Cosyns B, Laroche C, et al. Clinical presentation, aetiology and outcome of infective endocarditis. Results of the ESC-EORP EURO-ENDO (European infective endocarditis) registry: a prospective cohort study. Eur Heart J. 2019;40(39):3222-32.
8. Roberts-Thomson PJ, Rischmueller M, Kwiatek RA, Soden M, Ahern MJ, Hill WR, et al. Rheumatic manifestations of infective endocarditis. Rheumatol Int. 1992;12(2):61-3.
9. Escolà-Vergé L, Fernández-Hidalgo N, Larrosa MN, Fernandez-Galera R, Almirante B. Secular trends in the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis at a referral center (2007-2018). Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Off Publ Eur Soc Clin Microbiol. 2021;40(6):1137-48.
Metrics
Downloads
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 W Nacanabo Martin, L Bayala Yannick, A Segda André, K Samadoulougou André