Staphylococcus lugdunensis from gluteal abscess to destructive native triple valve endocarditis

Abstract

We herein present the case of a 43-year-old male diabetic patient who presented with an aggressive form of infective endocarditis involving the tricuspid, mitral and aortic valves following a gluteal abscess due to infection with Staphylococcus lugdunensis. This coagulase-negative organism which is generally considered a component of the normal flora of the skin has however recently emerged as an unusually virulent pathogen responsible for both nosocomial and community-acquired infections. The case demonstrates the importance of paying utmost attention and ensuring a logical conclusion to the identification of persistent coagulase-negative blood cultures. In addition, it also shows the importance of early identification of this organism and aggressive antibiotic administration to avert endocarditis because of the unusual virulence of the organism. Staphylococcus lugdunensis is rarely a clinical specimen contaminant, and its isolation warrants further investigation and concerted treatment.