1. When three is not a magic number - a case of native triple-valve endocarditis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae.
- Author
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Borg, Darren, Mintoff, Dillon, Soler, Jeremy Fleri, Felice, Tiziana, and Caruana, Maryanne
- Subjects
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STREPTOCOCCUS agalactiae , *PULMONARY valve , *INFECTIVE endocarditis , *TRICUSPID valve , *AORTIC valve , *SEPTIC shock - Abstract
We present a case of a 47-year-old female who presented with septic shock and a hyperosmolar hyperketotic state, accompanied by episodes of unresponsiveness. As part of the extensive investigations which took place, a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) revealed infective endocarditis of the tricuspid, pulmonary and aortic valves. Blood cultures showed evidence of bacteraemia with Streptococcus agalactiae. After an initial improvement on intravenous antibiotics, the patient's condition deteriorated following multiple septic emboli to the lungs from the pulmonary valve vegetation, leading to urgent referral for valve replacement. A mechanical aortic, tissue pulmonary and tricuspid valve replacements were performed in a tertiary centre in the United Kingdom. The postoperative course was complicated by recurrent infections of the sternotomy wound with eventual wound dehiscence and overwhelming sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022