Staphylococcus caprae as an Emerging Pathogen in Infective Endocarditis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Abstract
Staphylococcus caprae, a non-aureus staphylococcus primarily associated with goats, is typically regarded as a commensal organism. While its role in veterinary contexts is well established, its emergence as a human pathogen in healthcare settings has gained increasing recognition. It has been implicated in infections such as bacteremia, otitis externa, osteoarticular infections, and prosthetic device-related complications. However, infective endocarditis caused by S. caprae remains extremely rare, with only six cases reported in the literature since 1995. This report presents a case of native valve infective endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant S. caprae in a previously healthy 40-year-old male with no history of animal contact. The patient presented with fever, dyspnea, and signs of heart failure. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed vegetations on both the aortic and mitral valves, and blood cultures confirmed the presence of S. caprae. Initial empirical therapy with ceftriaxone and vancomycin was started and later adjusted to linezolid based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Despite appropriate antimicrobial treatment and intensive supportive care, the patient's condition progressively deteriorated. He experienced neurological decline, hemodynamic instability, and ultimately died following cardiac arrest before surgical intervention could be performed. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges in identifying S. caprae, as conventional phenotypic methods…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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