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Case Reports
. 2024 Sep 18;29(18):102529.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2024.102529.

Fever and Chimpanzees: An Unexpected Life-Threatening Diagnosis

Lise Claessens  1 , Filip Haenen  1 , Inez E Rodrigus  1 , Bernard P Paelinck  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Fever and Chimpanzees: An Unexpected Life-Threatening Diagnosis

Lise Claessens et al. JACC Case Rep. .

Abstract

Tropic fever can have several causes. It is important to investigate thoroughly and consider less obvious explanations. This paper presents the case of a biologist in close contact with chimpanzees, who developed fever in the tropics. Despite treatment for some tropical diagnosis, the fever persisted. On arrival in Belgium, further diagnostics revealed an unexpected diagnosis: Citrobacter koseri endocarditis of the native aortic valve. He was treated with ceftriaxone and amikacin and underwent aortic valve replacement. C koseri is a commensal in humans and animals. It is likely that the patient was infected with this bacterium through his close contact with chimpanzees. Only a few cases of C koseri endocarditis have been published worldwide, with most patients being immunocompromised. Patients with tropical fever may have unsuspected underlying causes, like endocarditis.

Keywords: Citrobacter koseri; aortic valve; chimpanzees; endocarditis; nodal marginal zone lymphoma; tropical fever.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scan (A and B) Positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan showing enhancement of the glands (arrowheads) in the right axilla.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Long-Axis Transoesophageal View Long-axis transoesophageal view of the aortic valve showing extensive vegetations (arrowheads).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Resected Aortic Valve Resected aortic valve showing perforation (arrow) and vegetation (arrowheads) on right coronary cusp.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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