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Case Reports
. 2016 Apr 1;43(2):161-4.
doi: 10.14503/THIJ-15-5121. eCollection 2016 Apr.

Bacterial Endocarditis Caused by Lactobacillus acidophilus Leading to Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm

Carlos Omar Encarnacion, Austin Mitchell Loranger, A G Bharatkumar, G Hossein Almassi
Case Reports

Bacterial Endocarditis Caused by Lactobacillus acidophilus Leading to Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm

Carlos Omar Encarnacion et al. Tex Heart Inst J. .

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Electrocardiographically gated computed tomogram with iodinated contrast medium shows an intracardiac fistula (arrow) from the right sinus of Valsalva to the right ventricular outflow tract.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Computed tomogram (3-dimensional reconstruction) shows a fistula 15 mm in diameter (dotted line) between the right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and the right ventricular outflow tract. The failure of left ventricular filling indicates severe aortic regurgitation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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