Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes

We report the case of a 76-year-old male patient who presented with early prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis due to Propionibacterium acnes. Diagnosis was established based on clinical picture of high temperature and positive blood cultures associated with echocardiographic findings of prosthetic valve vegetations and perivalvular abscess. Patient underwent redo stemotomy and re-replacement of the aortic valve bioprosthesis. He received a full course of antibiotics for six weeks and his postoperative course was uneventful. After follow-up for nine years, the patient has remained asymptomatic without any signs of recurrence. Some aspects related to the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this condition are discussed. (C) 2021 Sociedad Espanola de Cirugla Cardiovascular y Endovascular. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.