ACTINOMYCOTIC ENDOCARDITIS

Abstract

CARDIAC involvement produced by Actinomyces is not frequently reported in medical literature. Cornell and Shookhoff¹ have presented a comprehensive review of 68 cases. Recapitulation of such a review is not within the scope of this paper. Actinomycotic endocarditis without trace of related disease in any other part of the body is rare. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Jervell² reported a case of endocarditis with the etiologic agent determined as a leptothrix which was recovered in pure culture from the blood. The patient was a 20 year old man with a history of rheumatic fever at 12 years of age and with cardiac involvement on subsequent occasions. Three weeks before the last admission to the hospital, acute gastroenteritis developed, followed by symptoms of pyemia and myelitis. Ecchymosis and numerous petechiac appeared in various organs. Systolic and diastolic murmurs were present, and extra systoles occurred. The urine contained albumin, pus, blood