DNA sequence-based detection of group B Streptococcus directly from heart valve tissue in a patient with culture-negative endocarditis.

A human case of culture-negative bacterial endocarditis is presented where conventional methods failed to determine a microbial aetiology. DNA sequencing performed directly on autopsy heart valve tissue revealed Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus). To our knowledge, this is the first report of DNA sequence-based detection of this organism directly from a heart valve.