Community-acquired Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis complicated by splenic disease 9 years after aortic valve replacement.

We describe here a case of Staphylococcus epidermidis prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis 9 y after valve replacement. Surprisingly, the microorganism was community-acquired, highly virulent and associated with splenic disease. The patient recovered following emergency valve replacement and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Splenectomy was not required.