Abiotrophia defectiva endocarditis in a child – a case report

Sa？etak We present a case of endocarditis due to Abiotrophia defectiva in a child, developed as a complication of a previously unrecognized patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The patient was successfully treated with antimicrobial therapy and later underwent transcatheter closure of PDA. As the organism may not be isolated in routine culture media, and may present with atypical clinical symptoms, a high index of suspicion should be maintained in children with subacute symptoms even with no underlying heart disease. Even patients with early appropriate antibiotic therapy and rapid achievement of bacteriological clearance remain at high risk for embolic and immune-mediated complications and irreversible valvular damage. Our case highlights the importance of careful interpretation of serologic tests and the value of good physical examination (auscultation!) in order not to miss the diagnosis of congenital heart defects