Scedosporium apiosermum infection of the “Native” valve: Fungal endocarditis in an orthotopic heart transplant recipient

Abstract

Scedosporium apiospermum is an increasingly appreciated pathogen in immunosuppressed patients. We present a case of S. apiospermum endocarditis in a 70-year-old male who had undergone orthotopic heart transplant. Echocardiogram demonstrated a 1.4 cm tricuspid valve vegetation. He underwent valve replacement, complicated by fatal massive post-operative haemorrhage. Valve cultures grew S. apiospermum. To our knowledge, our case is the first reported instance of endocarditis caused by S. apiospermum in a recipient of a cardiac transplant.

Keywords

• Scedosporium apiospermum
• Pseudallescheria boydii
• Scedosporiosis
• Fungal endocarditis
• Orthotopic heart transplant