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Case Reports
. 2015 Jan 21:16:25-30.
doi: 10.12659/AJCR.892428.

Aspergillus flavus endocarditis of the native mitral valve in a bone marrow transplant patient

Tolga Demir  1 , Mehmet Umit Ergenoglu  2 , Abdurrahman Ekinci  2 , Nursen Tanrikulu  3 , Mazlum Sahin  1 , Ergun Demirsoy  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Aspergillus flavus endocarditis of the native mitral valve in a bone marrow transplant patient

Tolga Demir et al. Am J Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: Infective endocarditis due to Aspergillus species is an uncommon infection with a high mortality rate. It mostly occurs after the implantation of prosthetic heart valves. Parenteral nutrition, immunosuppression, broad-spectrum antibiotic regimens, and illegal intravenous drug use are the risk factors for developing infection.

Case report: We report a case of Aspergillus flavus native mitral valve endocarditis in a patient who had allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the past due to myelodysplastic syndrome.

Conclusions: Although it is rare and there is limited experience available with the diagnosis and treatment, early recognition and therapeutic intervention with systemic antifungal therapy and aggressive surgical intervention are critical to prevent further complications that may eventually lead to death. In addition, better novel diagnostic tools are needed to facilitate more accurate identification of patients with invasive Aspergillus and to permit earlier initiation of antifungal treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(A) Preoperative cardiac 2-D echocardiography. This shows a large mobile vegetation with an estimated size of 1×0.6 cm, on the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. (B) Preoperative cerebral magnetic resonance imaging shows multiple septic emboli. (C) Surgical picture shows yellow-white vegetation on the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. (D) Postoperative cerebral computed tomography shows a large hemorrhagic infarct.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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