Fatal Rhodococcus erythropolis endocarditis complicated by an abscess invading the atrioventricular node: a case report.

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) and myocardial abscesses caused by Rhodococcus erythropolis are rare clinical manifestations in healthy individuals. We report the autopsy of a 43-year-old male who suffered from IE caused by R. erythropolis infection and died of an atrioventricular node abscess, arrhythmia, and heart failure. This case indicates that the possibility of infection affecting the cardiac conduction system should be considered in arrhythmia-related IE cases. Our findings suggest that clinicians should consider the possibility of R. erythropolis infection in arrhythmia cases associated with IE.