Bartonella endocarditis mimicking adult Still's disease

Acta Clin Belg. 2008 May-Jun;63(3):190-2. doi: 10.1179/acb.2008.030.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 39-year-old Caucasian woman who was admitted to the University Hospital of Antwerp with a clinical picture suggestive of adult Still's disease. Even though a transoesophageal echocardiography showed endocarditis of the aortic valve, blood cultures remained negative. Additional serological testing revealed a positive result for Bartonella henselae. Histology of the supraclavicular lymph node showed a reactive lymph node with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Bartonella henselae. Prednisolone treatment was started in a dosage of 10 mg per day and rifampicin 600 mg/d in combination with doxycyclin 200 mg/d was given for 6 months. During therapy the patient gradually improved and signs of endocarditis disappeared on echocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bartonella Infections / diagnosis
  • Bartonella Infections / microbiology*
  • Bartonella henselae / genetics
  • Bartonella henselae / isolation & purification*
  • Biopsy
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Still's Disease, Adult-Onset / diagnosis*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial