Treatment of native valve endocarditis due to coagulase negative staphylococci, complicated by a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome)

Abstract

Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a rare cause of native valve endocarditis (NVE). However, they are emerging as important pathogens of NVE. We describe a 61 year old male who developed NVE caused by CoNS and presented with cerebral embolic phenomena. He was treated with vancomycin and subsequently with linezolid. He developed a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome) to linezolid which was managed successfully. The patient’s recovery was good after six weeks of treatment with anti-staphylococcal antibiotics.

Keywords

• native valve endocarditis, coagulase negative staphylococcus, linezolid, dress syndrome, cerebral emboli