Successful treatment of Brucella melitensis end-carditis.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Brucella endocarditis is a rare, but often fatal, complication of brucellosis. A 32 year old man acquired brucellosis while on a visit to his former home in Greece and presented six months later with malaise, fever and aortic regurgitation. Blood cultures grew Brucella melitensis biotype 1. Combined chemotherapy with streptomycin, tetracycline and rifampin sterilized his blood; however, his aortic valve was replaced owing to recurrent emboli and cardiac failure. Over the next 18 months the patient's antibody titer to Brucella fell and his blood reamined sterile. Cure was achieved by resection of the infected aortic valve and 10 weeks of bactericidal therapy for B. melitensis.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Pratt, DS; Tenney, JH; Bjork, CM; Reller, LB

Published Date

  • May 1, 1978

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 64 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 897 - 900

PubMed ID

  • 645754

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0002-9343

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/0002-9343(78)90535-1

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States