Key result
Haemophilus influenzae pacemaker IE highlights the need to consider HACEK bacteria in culture-negative cases.
Why the study?
Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis is increasing with cardiac devices, and low-virulence, fastidious HACEK organisms associated with culture-negative endocarditis require clinical, microbiological, and imaging evaluation for diagnosis.
Case Report (n=1)
This case highlights the importance of considering HACEK group bacteria in culture-negative device-associated infective endocarditis and the utility of advanced imaging techniques like PET/CT and TEE for accurate diagnosis.
Alerts clinicians to HACEK in culture-negative device IE; hypothesis-generating pending systematic data.
Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious medical condition that can lead to high morbidity and mortality rates. The prevalence of healthcare-associated IE is increasing due to the use of therapeutic devices, such as intravascular catheters and cardiac devices. The HACEK group of bacteria, are commonly found in human respiratory and genitourinary tracts, are low virulence and fastidious organisms that are associated with blood culture-negative endocarditis. Proper diagnosis requires a combination of clinical, microbiological, and imaging results. The following study presents a case of atypical device-associated IE caused by Haemophilus influenzae in a 56-year-old man with a permanent pacemaker. Methodology: description of a clinical problem, its diagnosis, management, and outcome, accompanied with a literature review. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of considering the HACEK group of bacteria in culture-negative IE cases and the use of advanced imaging techniques in diagnosis to prevent further complications and improve patient outcomes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Cross et al. (2023) conducted a case report in Infective endocarditis (n=1). A 56-year-old man with a permanent pacemaker developed atypical device-associated infective endocarditis caused by Haemophilus influenzae, highlighting the need to consider HACEK bacteria in culture-negative cases.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: