Prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans:: a review of 36 cases

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been reported to be a possible aetiologic agent in late prosthetic valve endocarditis. There have been 33 cases reported in whom endocarditis occurred a year or more after implantation of the prosthesis. Of 36 patients reviewed here, 21 had undergone dental alterations or dental work recently. The final outcome was satisfactory in 23 patients; congestive heart failure occurred in three cases and valve replacement was necessary in the other eight patients. Although the optimal antimicrobial therapy for endocarditis due to A. actinomycetemcomitans is not known, third generation cephalosporins should be considered as the drugs of choice. (C) 2004 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.