The "surreptitious Staphylococcus": Staphylococcus lugdunensis endocarditis in a child

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2002 Oct;21(10):984-6. doi: 10.1097/00006454-200210000-00023.

Abstract

A child with congenital heart disease developed infective endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis. Despite an apparent excellent response to initial antibiotic treatment in clinical, inflammatory and echocardiographic indices, the patient's valve damage progressed silently and surgical intervention was required. This case highlights the potential for misidentification of S. lugdunensis, its usual susceptibility to penicillin and in particular the aggressive nature of endocarditis caused by this coagulase-negative staphylococcus. The epidemiology and treatment of endocarditis caused by this organism are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / etiology
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / surgery*
  • Bacteremia / complications
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis*
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Disease Progression
  • Echocardiography
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penicillins / administration & dosage
  • Risk Assessment
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcus / classification*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Penicillins