Helcococcus kunzii prosthetic valve endocarditis secondary to lower extremity cellulitis

An 88-year-old man with history of bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement was hospitalised with fever, chills, malaise and right lower extremity cellulitis. Laboratory investigations revealed leucocytosis and blood cultures grew Helcococcus kunzii. Although transoesophageal echocardiography was negative for endocarditis, the patient was treated with 4 week of intravenous ceftriaxone. However, he was readmitted 6 weeks later with symptoms of fever, chills and hypoxia in setting of recurrent H. kunzii bacteraemia. A repeat transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed a mobile mass on bioprosthetic aortic valve, severe perivalvular insufficiency with pseudoaneurysm formation, and severe native mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Cardiothoracic surgery was consulted and the patient underwent replacement of aortic valve and aortic root, and tricuspid and mitral valve repairs. Histological examination of excised bioprosthetic aortic valve revealed active endocarditis with cocci identified on silver stain. Patient was successfully treated with 4-week course of intravenous ceftriaxone and was doing well at 2-year follow-up.

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