A case of trichosporon beigelii endocarditis 8 years after aortic valve replacement

We report a case of Trichosporon beigelii endocarditis in a 77-year-old diabetic man who presented with an embolic stroke 8 years ago after a porcine aortic valve replacement. He was treated successfully with amphotericin, rifampin, and replacement of the original porcine valve; however, he died suddenly 8 months later from unknown causes. Blood cultures 2 months prior to death were negative. The first manifestation of the endocarditis was a left hemiparesis followed some days later by a splenic infarction. Transthoracic echocardiography failed to demonstrate the aortic vegetation, which was clearly visualized subsequently by transesophageal echocardiography. The literature on Trichosporon beigelii endocarditis is reviewed.