Korean J Med.  2005 Sep;69(3):323-326.

A case of bioprosthetic valve endocarditis by corynebacterium in hemodyalysis patients

• Kim EH
• Cho EJ
• Shim KH
• Cho JM
• Kim CJ
• Rho TH
• Kim JH

Abstract

There has been a number of reports recently describing the pathogen potential of irregular asporogenous gram positive rods (IGPR), also referred as coryneforms or diphtheroids. This may be due to a greater number of opportunistic infections occurring in patients who are immunosuppressed or implanted with prostheses. The documentation of endocarditis caused by IGPR is difficult. Because all the result of culture is not always positive and these cultures need long-period incubation, and there are sometimes pseudo-positive cases due to the contamination in blood sampling. An early diagnosis and adequate treatment are important for the better result. We describe the case of bio prosthetic valve endocarditis in a 61-year-old woman who enduring chronic hemodialysis. This is the first case reported of bioprosthetic valve endocarditis by Corynebacterium in Korea.

Keyword

Bioprosthetic valve endocarditis; Corynebacterium

MeSH Terms

Corynebacterium*
Early Diagnosis
Endocarditis*
Female
Gram-Positive Rods
Humans
Korea
Middle Aged
Opportunistic Infections
Prostheses and Implants
Renal Dialysis