Cases of infective endocarditis caused by Campylobacter fetus.

An 18-year-old man with infective endocarditis caused by Campylobacter fetus is reported. This bacterial species has long been of interest in veterinary medicine, and recently it has been reported to be one cause of infantile diarrhea. Infective endocarditis arising from campylobacter fetus is rare. This is the fourth case reported in Japan. The organism was resistant to several antibiotics, and large vegetations were found to involve the aortic valve. Emergency excision of the infected aortic valve and replacement with a valve prosthesis were successful. Current clinical treatment of infective endocarditis is discussed, and the literature briefly reviewed.