Successful treatment of Staphylococcus lugdunensis endocarditis complicated by multiple emboli: A case report and review of the literature

We describe the prompt diagnosis and successful treatment of mitral valve endocarditis in a 52-year-old woman due to a recently described coagulase negative staphylococcus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis. Endocarditis due to this organism has a high mortality rate with 8 out of 12 published cases ending in fatality. Review of the literature revealed that use of commercial identification systems can lead to misidentification of Staphylococcus lugdunensis and consequently delay appropriate treatment. It is clinically important to distinguish Staphylococcus lugdunensis from other coagulase negative staphylococci by detailed microbiological testing. The awareness of this form of endocarditis and its natural history is important since it differs significantly from other coagulase negative staphylococci. It highlights the need for early surgical intervention not only for haemodynamic complications but also for recurrent emboli. Multiple emboli appears to be a frequent finding on review of the literature.