Infective Endocarditis Complicated with Progressive Heart Failure Due to Beta-Lactamase-Producing Cardiobacterium Hominis

Abstract

We describe a 66-year-old woman with infective endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis whose condition, complicated by severe aortic regurgitation and congestive heart failure, necessitated aortic valve replacement despite treatment with ceftriaxone followed by ciprofloxacin. The blood isolate of C. hominis produced beta-lactamase and exhibited high -level resistance to penicillin (MIC, greater than or equal to 256 mu g/ml ) and reduced susceptibility to vancomycin (MIC, 8 mu g/ml).