Corynebacterium striatum-Induced Native Valve Infective Endocarditis in an Immunocompetent Patient

TL;DR

A case of C. striatum causing infective endocarditis in an immunocompetent patient is reported, highlighting its potential as a serious pathogen.

Contribution

This paper presents a rare case of C. striatum-induced infective endocarditis in an immunocompetent individual.

Findings

C. striatum was identified as the causative agent of infective endocarditis on a native valve.

The infection led to embolic infarcts and a perivalvular abscess despite vancomycin treatment.

The case emphasizes the importance of recognizing C. striatum as a potential pathogen in complicated IE.

Abstract

Corynebacterium striatum is often considered a contaminant in blood cultures due to often being found colonizing skin and mucous membranes. This case displays C. striatum infective endocarditis (IE) identified in an immunocompetent patient on a native valve. Despite treatment with vancomycin, the case was complicated by embolic infarcts to the spleen and left cerebellum along with the development of a perivalvular abscess. This case highlights risk factors for C. striatum infection and exemplifies the importance of recognizing this bacteria species as a possible pathogen causing complicated IE.

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