A Rare Cause of Endocarditis: Streptococcus pyogenes

Balkan Med J. 2012 Sep;29(3):331-3. doi: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2012.053. Epub 2012 Sep 1.

Abstract

Although group A β-hemolytic streptococcus is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis, an increase in the incidence of invasive group A streptococcus infections including bacteremia has been reported in the last two decades. Herein we report Streptococcus pyogenes endocarditis in a previously healthy adult patient who was hospitalized to investigate the etiology of fever. Because of a suspicion of a new vegetation appeared in the second (aortic) valve in the 14(th) day of high dose penicillin G treatment, the mitral and aortic valves were replaced by mechanical prosthesis on the 22(nd) day of treatment. He was discharged from hospital after the 6 week course of antibiotic treatment.

Keywords: Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus; endocarditis.