Cryptococcal endocarditis of native valves without immunodeficiency or drug abuse: a case report

J Int Med Res. 2020 Dec;48(12):300060520970763. doi: 10.1177/0300060520970763.

Abstract

Cryptococcal endocarditis has rarely been reported. Most patients with this condition are associated with risk factors, such as structural heart disease/valve replacement, immunodeficiency/immunosuppression or drug abuse. We report a case of cryptococcal endocarditis of the native valves without any risk factors. A 50-year-old Chinese man was admitted to hospital with fever for 1 month without any underlying heart disease, immunodeficiency, or drug use. He was diagnosed as having Cryptococcus neoformans infective endocarditis and was discharged after valve replacement surgery and long-term antifungal therapy.

Keywords: Cryptococcus; aortic valve replacement; endocarditis; fever; heart failure; native valve.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve
  • Cryptococcosis* / diagnosis
  • Cryptococcosis* / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis* / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis* / surgery
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / complications