Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium species successfully treated with coadministered rifampin: report of two cases.

We describe two cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium spp. successfully treated with a combination of rifampin and intravenous penicillin. Rifampin was chosen due to its promising activity against planktonic and biofilm Propionibacterium, its favourable minimal inhibitory concentrations, its excellent oral bioavailability and tissue penetration.