Campylobacter fetus endocarditis on a prosthetic heart valve.

Campylobacter fetus infection in man is rare. Few cases of Campylobacter endocarditis have been described, and none have been associated with a prosthetic heart valve. We have reported a case of Campylobacter fetus ssp fetus on a prosthetic mitral valve in a 48-year-old woman who was treated successfully with penicillin and streptomycin (and later with gentamicin). Replacement of the prosthetic valve was done because of stenosis and vegetations. Pathologic examination showed vegetations on a calcified prosthesis, but no bacteria were seen.