Infective Endocarditis Caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum and Slackia exigua Secondary to Poor Oral Health
Infective endocarditis caused by anaerobes may be underrecognized. Here, we report a case of polymicrobial anaerobic infective endocarditis secondary to poor oral health. A 79-year-old man presented with fever, trismus, and a painful swollen jaw. Evaluation revealed pulmonary septic embolism, osteom...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American College of Physicians
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases |
| Online Access: | https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0933 |
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| Summary: | Infective endocarditis caused by anaerobes may be underrecognized. Here, we report a case of polymicrobial anaerobic infective endocarditis secondary to poor oral health. A 79-year-old man presented with fever, trismus, and a painful swollen jaw. Evaluation revealed pulmonary septic embolism, osteomyelitis, and vegetation on the mitral valve. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Slackia exigua were identified in blood cultures. He was diagnosed with infective endocarditis and was successfully treated with antimicrobials. This highlights the importance of promptly identifying systemic infections even in apparent odontogenic infections. Clinicians should be aware of severe infections caused by oral anaerobes and the importance of maintaining oral health. |
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| ISSN: | 2767-7664 |