Importance of early diagnosis and surgical treatment of calcified amorphous tumor-related native valve endocarditis caused by Escherichia coli: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Unlike Escherichia coli bacteremia, which is common, E. coli endocarditis is uncommon, particularly in patients with native valve, leading to its delayed diagnosis. Case presentation We present a case of infective endocarditis caused by E. coli in a 78-year-old Japanese man with type 2 diabetes, involving persistent bacteremia and vegetation on the mitral valve (measuring 18 × 4.2 mm in diameter). He presented with recurrent fever after antimicrobial treatment for pyelonephritis. He received antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks and required surgical removal of a calcified amorphous tumor and vegetation with mitral valvuloplasty 7 days after admission. Despite an episode of multiple cerebral infarctions, he recovered fully from the infection. Conclusions Follow-up blood cultures should be performed for Gram-negative bacilli bacteremia among patients with unknown focus and an atypical clinical course after treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical intervention are paramount to achieving good clinical outcomes.