Use of polymerase chain reaction for citrate synthase gene to diagnose Bartonella quintana endocarditis.

We describe aortic valve endocarditis caused by Bartonella quintana in a 31-year-old man. The diagnosis was made on the basis of polymerase chain reaction amplification of the B quintana citrate synthase gene from cardiac valve tissue, the compatibility of histochemical stains of cardiac valve tissue, and serologic studies.