Blood Culture-negative Endocarditis Caused by Tropheryma whipplei: Whipple’s endocarditis

Case description: A 67-year-old man was admitted with progressive heart failure due to blood culture-negative endocarditis of the aortic valve. Urgent aortic valve replacement was needed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of samples of the explanted aortic valve revealed Tropheryma whipplei. The patient received ceftriaxone, followed by long-term co-trimoxazole. Recent arthralgia may have been a diagnostic clue.Conclusion: Whipple’s endocarditis should be considered in patients with arthralgia and blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNIE)