# Mitral Valve Repair in a 15-Month-Old Child With Kingella kingae Endocarditis

## TL;DR

A 15-month-old child with Kingella kingae endocarditis was successfully treated with mitral valve repair after initial respiratory symptoms.

## Contribution

This case highlights the rare occurrence of K. kingae endocarditis in young children and the importance of early diagnosis.

## Key findings

- K. kingae endocarditis presented with initial upper respiratory symptoms in a 15-month-old child.
- Mitral valve repair with annuloplasty was effective in treating the condition.
- Noninvasive ultrasound imaging may help detect atypical pathologies like endocarditis in pediatric patients.

## Abstract

Kingella kingae, a Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, K. kingae (HACEK) organism, is commonly found in the oropharynx. Although it rarely causes endocarditis, it can pose a significant risk to young children. We report a case of K. kingae endocarditis in a previously healthy 15-month-old male who initially presented with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Blood cultures taken at 60 hours revealed the presence of K. kingae. Subsequent echocardiogram and brain MRI demonstrated large vegetation on the mitral valve and septic emboli in the right occipital and left posterior parietal lobes. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone and underwent mitral valve repair with annuloplasty. This case illustrates the presentation of K. kingae endocarditis with initial respiratory symptoms and the subsequent identification of the infection through blood cultures and imaging. For pediatric patients presenting with upper respiratory symptoms, there may be clinical benefit to noninvasive ultrasound imaging to help rule out atypical pathologies like endocarditis.