Persistent immune thrombocytopenia heralds the diagnosis of Mycobacterium chimaera prosthetic valve endocarditis

Abstract

A 63 year old female was admitted for investigation of worsening renal insufficiency. During hospitalization she developed persistent immune thrombocytopenia refractory to supportive or immunosuppressive treatment. She was diagnosed with Mycobacterium chimaera prosthetic valve endocarditis and thrombocytopenia resolved with anti-mycobacterial therapy.

Keywords

• Aortic root abscess
• Granulomas
• Mycobacterium chimaera
• Prosthetic-valve endocarditis
• Thrombocytopenia