Cardiobacterium homonis endocarditis. Characterization of the unusual organisms and review of the literature

Am J Clin Pathol. 1975 Jan;63(1):131-4. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/63.3.131.

Abstract

A case of subacute bacterial endocarditis in which Cardiobacterium hominis was isolated from the blood of a 55-year old woman who had rheumatic heart disease is reported. A survey of the literature revealed very few reports in which this organism has been implicated in human lesions. The colonies grew after 48 hours of incubation in a candle jar. They were small, convex, nonhemolytic, and oxidase-positive. The indole reaction was positive, the catalase and nitrate reactions were negative, and acid reaction was obtained from the following carbohydrates: glucose, maltose, mannitol, sucrose, and sorbitol. The morphologic and biochemical properties served to distinguish these organisms from similar bacteria implicated in human disease, such as Haemophilus aphrophilus, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Streptobacillus moniliformis, and HB-1.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria*
  • Bacteriological Techniques
  • Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Streptomycin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Penicillins
  • Streptomycin