PROSTHETIC VALVE ENDOCARDITIS DUE TO CORY NEBACTERIUM-UREALYTICUM

Corynebacterium urealyticum has been recognised as causing inflammator y cystitis and other human infections. In our knowledge this is the fi rst case of a prosthetic Valve endocarditis due to C. urealyticum. It was diagnosed in a 61 year old male patient with a history of rheumati c fever, hypertension and aortic stenosis. He had undergone surgery to replace the aortic valve and to perform triple aortocoronary bypass. The isolate was not multiresistant. Endocarditis due to C. urealyticum is very rare. Corynebacterium species, usually considered as contamin ants, frequently colonize surgical cardiovascular areas and must be ta ken into account as causative agents of severe endocarditis.