Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis: persistence of DNA on heart valve material 7 years after infectious episode

Abstract

We amplified by PCR and sequenced Streptococcus pneumoniae rpoB from DNA of the cardiac valve of a man who had presented with pneumococcal endocarditis 7 years earlier. Histopathologically, the valve did not show evidence of endocarditis. This case raises the question of persistence of DNA without any evidence of infection.