Infect Chemother.  2012 Aug;44(4):310-314. 10.3947/ic.2012.44.4.310.

A Case of Native Valve Infective Endocarditis Caused by Bacillus cereus

• Oh DH
• Kim MH
• Kim YC
• Song JE
• Ahn JY
• Han SH
• Choi JY
• Kim CO
• Chang HJ
• Yong D
• Song YG
• Lee K
• Kim JM

• KMID: 2045553
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2012.44.4.310

Abstract

Bacillus cereus is a ubiquitous organism that often contaminates microbiological cultures but rarely causes serious infections in humans. It is the causative organism of infective endocarditis (IE), a disease typically associated with intravenous (IV) drug abusers. Thus, almost all reported cases have involved the tricuspid valve. We report a case of native mitral valve (MV) IE caused by B. cereus in a 54 year-old man with moderate MV regurgitation but no apparent history of IV drug use. He presented with fever and dyspnea on exertion, symptoms which had been ongoing for 2 months. B. cereus infection was determined by blood culture examination. A transthoracic echocardiography revealed that mobile vegetations had attached to the MV. He was treated with IV antibiotics for a total of 6 weeks and received MV replacement surgery. He has maintained a good clinical recovery without complications since discharge.

Keyword

Infective endocarditis; Bacillus cereus; Native valve; Mitral valve; Non-intravenous drug abuser

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacillus
Bacillus cereus
Drug Users
Dyspnea
Echocardiography
Endocarditis
Fever
Humans
Mitral Valve
Tricuspid Valve
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

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  Figure 1 Transthoracic echocardiography in the parasternal long axis view as observed upon admission (A) and on the 12th hospital day (B) which reveal two vegetations of 1.3×0.6 cm and 1.2×0.7 cm size attached on the anterior and posterior of the mitral valve leaflet, respectively. LA, left atrium; LV, left ventricle.

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