A subacute presentation ofMycoplasma hominisprosthetic valve endocarditis

Abstract

Mycoplasma hominisis a rare but important cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis. It is usually associated with acute progression of symptoms and can be difficult to diagnose as it does not grow in standard culture media. We report a case of an immunocompetent man in his 70s who presented with 14-month subacute decline with shortness of breath and evidence of a splenic infarct. Following a redo aortic valve replacement and diagnosis ofM. hoministhrough 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid PCR, he improved clinically with oral doxycycline therapy. He remained well at follow-up 2 years post-cessation of antibiotics. We present a literature review highlighting the role of PCR testing in the microbiological identification ofM. hominis.