Lactobacillus acidophilus rarely causes bacterial endocarditis, because it usually resides in the mucosa of the vagina, gastrointestinal tract, and oropharynx. Moreover, sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are rare cardiac anomalies, either acquired or congenital. We present the case of a middle-aged man whose bacterial endocarditis, caused by Lactobacillus acidophilus, led to an aneurysmal rupture of the sinus of Valsalva into the right ventricular outflow tract. The patient underwent successful surgical repair, despite numerous complications and sequelae.
Keywords: Antibacterial agents/therapeutic use; Lactobacillus endocarditis; aortic aneurysm; aortic valve; endocarditis, bacterial; gram-positive bacterial infections; intracardiac shunts; male; middle aged; sinus of Valsalva/surgery.