Staphylococcus Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Staphylococcus, including details on mrsa, hospitals, infection, antibiotic resistance, superbugs.

Rapidly destructive Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis.

Zinkernagel AS, Speck RF, Ruef C, Zingg W, Berger-Bachi B, Springer B

Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Raemistr. 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. annelies.zinkernagel@usz.ch

A 29-year-old man with rapidly destructive Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis after mitral valve reconstruction is presented. Resistance to rifampin and teicoplanin occurred during antibiotic treatment resulting in clinical failure and valve destruction. Subsequently, the patient was successfully treated, by combining valve replacement with antibiotic therapy including quinupristin/dalfopristin, levofloxacin, and vancomycin. In conclusion, S. epidermidis can cause rapid valve destruction with large vegetations, and combination of surgery and antibiotic therapy may be necessary.

Published 7 June 2005 in Infection, 33(3): 148-50.
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