Recurrent aortic valve endocarditis caused by Gemella morbillorum - Reportof a case and review of the literature

Gemella morbillorum (G. morbillorum) is part of the commensal flora of the oropharynx and intestinal tract, and on rare occasions causes infective end ocarditis. A 55-year-old man with massive aortic regurgitation caused by re current infective endocarditis with G. morbillorum had a history of prior e ndocarditis caused by a-hemolytic streptococcus and multiple antibiotic all ergies 5 years prior, and was successfully treated by aortic valve replacem ent. Almost all the reported cases of endocarditis caused by G. morbillorum have been bacteriologically cured with antibiotics and this is the first r eported case of recurrent endocarditis caused by G. morbillorum. in which t he initial infection was bacteriologically cured by antibiotics and the sec ondary infection treated with valve replacement. This organism can be one o f the causes of infective endocarditis and prompt surgical repair is mandat ory if the infection is refractory or there is progression of congestive he art failure under antibiotic cover.