Apparent recurrence of Q fever endocarditis following homograft replacement of aortic valve.

Abstract

A 39-year-old man with aortic stenosis and regurgitation developed Q fever endocarditis. After 15 weeks of chemotherapy with tetracycline the damaged aortic valve was replaced with a homograft. Organisms were present in the excised valve. Some months later the valve began to leak and the endocarditis recurred fatally. Because of the nature of rickettsial infection neither a course of chemotherapy nor an operation can guarantee a cure of Q fever endocarditis. Chemotherapy should be continued indefinitely even after operation.

• Authors: H D Tunstall Pedoe
• Journal: British heart journal (Br Heart J) Vol. 32 Issue 4 Pg. 568-70 (Jul 1970) ISSN: 0007-0769 [Print] England
• PMID: 5433345 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aortic Valve (transplantation)
• Aortic Valve Stenosis (surgery)
• Endocarditis, Bacterial
• Humans
• Male
• Postoperative Complications
• Q Fever
• Transplantation, Homologous