Blood culture-negative endocarditis caused by Tropheryma whipplei: a case report of Whipple’s endocarditis

Abstract

Case description: A 67-year-old man was admitted with progressive heart failure, due to blood culture-negative endocarditis of the aortic valve. In early course, urgent aortic valve replacement was needed. A polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) on samples of the explanted aortic valve revealed Tropheryma whipplei. He received ceftriaxone, followed by long-term co-trimoxazole. Recent arthralgia may have been a diagnostic clue. Conclusion: Whipple’s endocarditis should be assessed in patients with arthralgia and blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNIE).

Keywords

• whipple’s endocarditis
• tropheryma whipplei
• blood culture-negative endocarditis