Infective endocarditis caused by lactobacillus

Intern Med. 2008;47(12):1113-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.47.0744. Epub 2008 Jun 16.

Abstract

Lactobacillus (LB) is a gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that inhabits the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, vagina and nasal cavity. Although LB plays a role in the prevention of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, it causes some critical infectious diseases such as infective endocarditis (IE). IE due to LB is rare; however, early diagnosis and early treatment are important because of its high mortality rate. We report the onset of IE after otologic treatment in a heavy drinker of alcohol, the second case of IE due to LB in Japan.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / immunology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / immunology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / surgery
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Lactobacillus*
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / immunology
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / microbiology*
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / surgery