CASE REPORT An unusual case of infective endocarditis

A rare case of Corynebacterium striatum endocarditis on a bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement, treated medically, is reported. The presentation was subacute, and initially endocarditis screening was negative. Because of the failure of symptoms to settle further screening was performed which confirmed the organism in several sets of blood cultures. This emphasises the importance of persistent screening for endocarditis if the history raises any suspicion of this potentially serious infection, especially in the presence of prosthetic valves. Infective endocarditis is not an uncommon condition withabout 5 % of the general population being at risk. Overallmortality is approximately 15 % and is significantly less for penicillin sensitive organisms.1 Predisposing cardiac lesions for endocarditis are well known and include prosthetic valves. Portals of entry include dental work of any type, urinary tract infection, respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infection, ski