Recurrent prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus colonizing skin lesions in severe atopic dermatitis

Intern Med. 2007;46(9):571-3. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.46.6207. Epub 2007 May 1.

Abstract

Infective endocarditis, a serious infection most commonly affecting rheumatic or prosthetic valves, generally occurs after bacteremia. Atopic dermatitis, a very common disease, carries a high prevalence of skin infections, particularly with Staphylococcus aureus. While cutaneous colonization by S. aureus represents an important source of bacteremia, few cases of infective endocarditis arising from the skin lesions of atopic dermatitis have been reported. We describe a patient with recurrent S. aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis developing in this manner.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / complications*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / physiopathology
  • Echocardiography
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / surgery
  • Recurrence
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / etiology*
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / growth & development