Brucella endocarditis: the role of combined medical and surgical treatment

Rev Infect Dis. 1990 Sep-Oct;12(5):740-4. doi: 10.1093/clinids/12.5.740.

Abstract

Brucella endocarditis, although a rare complication of brucellosis, is the main cause of death related to this disease. This report describes a case of aortic endocarditis due to Brucella abortus in an elderly farmer with known aortic stenosis. Urgent valve replacement was performed because of progressive heart failure despite appropriate antimicrobial treatment. The infection was cured with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and rifampin given for 3 months after surgery. A review of the literature reports on the 38 other cases of cured brucella endocarditis made clear the need for combined antimicrobial treatment and surgical valve replacement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brucellosis / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / therapy*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use*
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
  • Rifampin