Infective endocarditis caused by Abiotrophia defectiva presenting as anterior mitral leaflet perforation mimicking cleft anterior mitral leaflet

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) is primarily a bacterial infection of the heart valves. The most common organisms implicated include <i>Staphylococcus</i> and <i>Streptococcus</i> species. However, with the advent of MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques, the reports of IE being caused by rare organisms are on a rise. Here we describe a case of IE due to <i>Abiotrophia defectiva</i>. This is the first report of simultaneous infection of both mitral and aortic valves by <i>Abiotrophia defectiva</i> from India. IE caused by <i>Abiotrophia defectiva</i> has been seen to be more severe, associated with higher failure rates and relapse. This emphasizes the accurate identification of nutritionally variant <i>Streptococcus</i> (NVS) species as the management of choice varies between <i>Abiotrophia</i> and <i>Granulicatella</i>.