%0 Journal Article
%T A Rare Case of Aortic Valve Endocarditis and Acute Meningitis Due to <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i>
%A Zachary M. Visinoni
%A Justin D. Tse
%A Christopher F. Pease
%J Case Reports in Clinical Medicine
%P 207-211
%@ 2325-7083
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/crcm.2024.136023
%X HACEK organisms represent a rare but important group of causative pathogens in endocarditis. These bacteria have historically been associated with culture-negative endocarditis; however, modern laboratory techniques have made this less common. In this case, we present a 74-year-old man who presented with acute onset altered mentation, fever, and sepsis. He was ultimately found to have <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> meningitis, cerebral empyema, aortic valve endocarditis, psoas myositis, and L2 - L3 diskitis with osteomyelitis. Although HACEK organisms are commonly found in the oropharynx and upper respiratory tract in humans, our patient did not report recent preceding dental or ENT procedures. <i>H. influenzae</i> is responsible for approximately 0.16% of all cases of bacterial endocarditis, representing a very limited subset. Although generally considered low virulent pathogens, this case demonstrates the unusual extent of infection from a HACEK organism,<i> H. influenzae</i>, causing aortic valve endocarditis as well as atypical non-cardiac sequelae, including acute meningitis.
%K HACEK<i>
%K Haemophilus influenzae</i>
%K Aortic Valve Endocarditis
%K Bacterial Meningitis
%K Cerebral Empyema
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=134142