Infective endocarditis with primary thrombocytopenia caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Aggregatibacteraphrophilus, a member of the normal flora of the human oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, is relatively rare. Usually, patients with IE caused by this bacterium undergo surgical treatment; however, in this case, the patient underwent transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR), which differed from previous procedures. Case Presentation: A 63-year-old male patient was hospitalized with a 7-day history of fever. His C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels were elevated. The blood culture specimens were positive and analyzed using mass spectrometry for the presence of A. aphrophilus. Further esophageal echocardiography confirmed that the patient had IE. The patient's fever resolved after ceftriaxone treatment; however, because of his abnormally low platelet count, he underwent TMVR at an outside hospital. He was followed up for 3 months postoperatively with no significant discomfort. Conclusions: This case is instructive in the surgical management of IE caused by A. aphrophilus and provides a new therapeutic option for high-risk patients in the perioperative period.