Acute Corynebacterium diphtheriae aortic endocarditis with negative blood culture

Acute endocarditis with negative blood culture is a challenge requiring clo se cooperation between several specialists. Case report. - A 15-year-old boy presented with an acute aortic endocarditi s due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Blood cultures were negative due to a n empiric anti-infective therapy. Valvular replacement with a mechanical pr osthesis failed to cure the sepsis, which resolved after a cryopreserved al lograft implantation. Conclusion. - This case underlines the efficiency of the highly specialized bacteriological centers and the advantages of using a cryopreserved allogr aft during the septic state. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales E lsevier SAS.