Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Caused by Gemella sanguinis: A Consequence of Persistent Dental Infection

• DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e31821389f0
• Publication Date: 2011-05-25T08:21:31Z
• Authors: Prashant Gundre; William Pascal; Yizhak Kupfer; Sidney Tessler; Sunil Abrol
• Keywords: Adult; 0301 basic medicine; Endocarditis; Ceftriaxone; Amoxicillin; Dental Caries; Drug Administration Schedule; Anti-Bacterial Agents; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; Echocardiography; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Gemella; Humans; Transplantation, Homologous; Female; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections

Late prosthetic valve endocarditis is usually caused by streptococci, staphylococci, gram-negative bacilli and candida. The authors report the first case of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Gemella sanguinis. The patient's risk factors for the development of Gemella endocarditis were the persistent severe dental caries and the presence of prosthetic valves. The patient required surgical replacement of the infected valve but had a good outcome with preservation of cardiac and valvular function. Evaluation and treatment of the persistent dental infection before initial valvular surgery may have prevented secondary infection of the prosthetic valve.