Pyogenic ventriculitis complicating Aggregatibacter aphrophilus infective endocarditis: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Pyogenic ventriculitis (PV) is an uncommon, but frequently fatal infection that results from inflammation of the ventricular ependymal lining associated with a purulent ventricular system. PV has been rarely reported as a secondary complication of infective endocarditis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with appropriate culture-directed antibiotics with adequate central nervous system penetration is crucial when managing patients who are suspected of having PV. The present study reports on a fatal case of a previously well 42-year-old alcoholic woman with infective endocarditis caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, with secondary brain abscess and spontaneous rupture into the ventricles causing PV. ©2009 Pulsus Group Inc. All rights reserved.