Quadruple valve infective endocarditis presenting with suspected Austrian syndrome: a case report and a case series of quadruple valve infective endocarditis

Abstract

Objectives: Austrian syndrome comprises the triad of pneumonia, meningitis, and endocarditis secondary to Streptococcus pneumonia. We present what we believe to be the first reported case of Austrian syndrome with quadruple heart valve involvement and review the literature detailing cases of quadruple valve infective endocarditis.

Case presentation and results: A case is presented of a patient with radiographic evidence of a left lower lobe pneumonia. Sequential transthoracic followed by transesophageal echocardiogram done to evaluate the presence of a cardiac murmur revealed the presence of quadruple valve vegetations. Multiple blood cultures were persistently negative. The patient went on to develop seizures secondary to proven meningitis. Microbiological diagnosis was eventually established through positive Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen (Alere BinaxNOW®) from cerebrospinal fluid, establishing a presumptive clinical diagnosis of Austrian syndrome. A computerized PubMed search for reports of quadruple valve infective endocarditis and their references was collated. A total of 22 patients were found, including our patient. The median age of presentation was 47.5 years. Five patients had a history of intravenous drug abuse, another 5 had underlying congenital heart disease, and 1 had both. Two patients (9.1%) had 2 microorganisms isolated. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans (3 cases, 13.6% each) were the most commonly implicated microorganism. Heart failure was the commonest complication, afflicting 11 patients (50.0%). Ten patients (45.5%) underwent surgery. Overall case fatality rate was 50.0%. Cardiac surgery was of statistical significance in predicting survival (P = 0.009).

Conclusion: Quadruple valve endocarditis is associated with a high mortality rate, and cardiac surgery may be protective.

Keywords: Austrian syndrome; Multivalvular endocarditis; Quadruple valve endocarditis.