SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-LUGDUNENSIS ENDOCARDITIS COMPLICATED BY MULTIPLE EMBOLI - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

We describe the prompt diagnosis and successful treatment of mitral va lve endocarditis in a 52-year-old woman due to a recently described co agulase negative staphylococcus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis. Endocardi tis due to this organism has a high mortality rate with 8 out of 12 pu blished cases ending in fatality. Review of the literature revealed th at use of commercial identification systems can lead to misidentificat ion of Staphylococcus lugdunensis and consequently delay appropriate t reatment. It is clinically important to distinguish Staphylococcus lug dunensis from other coagulase negative staphylococci by detailed micro biological testing. The awareness of this form of endocarditis and its natural history is important since it differs significantly from othe r coagulase negative staphylococci. It highlights the need for early s urgical intervention not only for haemodynamic complications but also for recurrent emboli. Multiple emboli appears to be a frequent finding on review of the literature.