Endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes: an easily ignored pathogen

J Infect. 2005 Nov;51(4):e229-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2005.02.006.

Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes, which usually considered as a contaminant, has been found to be an emerging pathogen in human diseases. We describe a case of prosthetic valve related endocarditis caused by P. acnes. Sequencing of the genetic coding of 16S ribosomal RNA was used to identify the pathogen and random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns further confirmed the persistent bacteraemia, which help to determine the diagnosis.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cefoxitin / administration & dosage
  • Clindamycin / administration & dosage
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / diagnosis
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / drug therapy
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / microbiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Penicillin G / administration & dosage
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Propionibacterium acnes / genetics
  • Propionibacterium acnes / isolation & purification*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / drug therapy
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / chemistry
  • Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Clindamycin
  • Cefoxitin
  • Penicillin G

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB042290