Abiotrophia defectiva: A Rare but Critical Cause of Infective Endocarditis

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) refers to an infection involving the endocardial surface of the heart. Most of the cases of IE are known to occur due to infection by viridans Streptococci or Staphylococci species. Abiotrophia defectiva is known to cause less than 1% of cases of IE. Though rare, this organism can cause life-threatening complications such as septic embolization, destruction of heart valves, and heart failure if not detected and treated timely. Here we discuss a case of a 44-year-old female who presented to our tertiary care centre with complaints of fever and easy fatiguability for two weeks. After further investigations, she was finally diagnosed to have IE due to Abiotrophia defectiva. Imaging demonstrated the presence of embolic and valvular complications as well. Through this case, we highlight the importance of early detection and timely management of this condition in order to decrease the occurrence of fatal complications and mortality.

Keywords: abiotrophia; infective endocarditis (ie); valvular heart disease.

Figure 1. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain showing an ill-defined hypodense area in the deep white matter of the left frontal lobe

Figure 2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showing focal acute infarcts in the left centrum ovale, left corona radiata, and left external capsule in the left middle cerebral artery territory