Infective endocarditis due to Neisseria elongata: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Neisseria elongata (NE), a Gram-negative, rod-shaped organism, was previously thought to be non-pathogenic. However, in recent years it has become increasingly recognized as a rare cause of infective endocarditis. In this paper, we report a case of NE infective endocarditis and provide a review of the literature.

Objectives: To describe a case of NE endocarditis, and to review the literature in search of any similar cases of this rare condition.

Case report: Our patient is a 77-year-old, otherwise healthy female patient who was found to have mitral valve endocarditis with valve regurgitation.

Discussion: NE endocarditis is a rare condition that typically affects the left cardiac chambers and is associated with high risk of embolization. A literature review retrieved 35 other cases.

Conclusions: Our report underlines the rarity of NE endocarditis, insofar as relatively few cases have been reported. The bacterium presents similarities with HACEK organisms and can potentially cause infective endocarditis.

Keywords: Gram-negative bacterial infection; Infective endocarditis; Mitral valve; Neisseria elongata; Neisseria species.