Late aortic homograft valve endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis: a case report and review of the literature.

An unusual case of Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis involving an aortic homograft valve is presented. Although the patient was young (a 17 year old man) and showed few of the characteristic features of the disease, the report does illustrate a number of the problems associated with this illness and highlights the need for the careful assessment of apparent culture negative endocarditis. The organism itself is susceptible to most antibiotics but further treatment, including surgery, may be necessary. Patients must therefore be examined repeatedly and assessed for haemodynamic deterioration, valve destruction or embolic phenomena. Homograft valve replacement may offer some benefits in the setting of aortic valve endocarditis and is therefore an attractive option in this situation.