Trichosporon inkin and Cutibacterium acnes bioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis and prosthetic aortic root abscess with multi-focal emboli



Kempson, F, Woolley, S, Coles, Z, Kenawy, A, Muntasser, H, Ghadiri, N ORCID: 0000-0001-5591-2419, Harrington, D, Hope, W ORCID: 0000-0001-6187-878X, Field, M and van Aartsen, JJ
(2023) Trichosporon inkin and Cutibacterium acnes bioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis and prosthetic aortic root abscess with multi-focal emboli. Clinical Infection in Practice, 19. p. 100233.

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Abstract

Background: This report presents the first case of a patient with dual pathogen-associated bioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis, prosthetic aortic root abscess and multifocal septic emboli, caused by both Trichosporon inkin and Cutibacterium acnes. Case Report: A 67-year-old male with a prosthetic aortic root replacement, bioprosthetic aortic valve and pacemaker presented with pyrexia, right arm numbness and confusion. Multiple left-sided embolic infarcts were found on brain imaging, eye examination was consistent with right-sided fungal endophthalmitis, and an aortic valve vegetation and aortic root abscess were visualised on trans-oesophageal echo. Pre-operative blood cultures were negative. Revision surgery tissue samples grew Trichosporon inkin and Cutibacterium acnes. Post-operatively, he was treated with 42 days of meropenem and 150 days of antifungals (ambisome plus flucytosine plus intravitreal voriconazole, followed by oral voriconazole), after which he was switched to long term oral suppressive therapy with doxycycline and fluconazole. Twelve months post operatively, he is well and there is no evidence of recurrence. Discussion: Trichosporon prosthetic valve endocarditis has a 62% one-year mortality rate. This case presented additional complexity: dual infection with Cutibacterium acnes, multi-focal embolic disease, difficulty in obtaining a pre-operative microbiological diagnosis, and difficulty with antifungal treatment (toxicity risk, drug interactions, minimal evidence-based for treatment). Managing complex cardiothoracic infections involving prosthetic material, such as that described, requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving cardiothoracic surgeons, infection specialists and pharmacists, and other allied health professionals if necessary, to optimise patient care and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cardiovascular, Infectious Diseases, Patient Safety, Infection, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences > School of Medicine
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 02 Oct 2023 09:13
Last Modified: 25 Apr 2024 22:50
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinpr.2023.100233
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinpr.2023.100233
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3173266