First case of human infection caused by Pasteurella gallinarum causing infective endocarditis in an adolescent 10 years after surgical correction for truncus arteriosus.

OBJECTIVE

To report the first case of human infection (infective endocarditis [IE]) caused by Pasteurella gallinarum and to review the literature regarding IE caused by the genus Pasteurella.

SETTING

University hospital based.

PATIENT: An adolescent boy who underwent successful correction for truncus arteriosus 10 years before the present illness.

RESULTS

Persistent fever, pallor, and a palpable spleen suggested IE clinically. Echocardiography documented vegetation in the conduit that was used for surgical correction. Blood cultures grew P. gallinarum and confirmed its role as the causative organism for IE in the patient.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates that IE may develop in a child with congenital heart disease several years after surgical intervention using material that is foreign to the body (conduit), and that such a complication may involve unusual pathogens. These observations emphasize the need for careful long-term follow-up of children with congenital heart disease even after successful surgical correction.