Native Valve Endocarditis With Staphylococcus hominis: A Case Report

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus is a rare cause of native-valve endocarditis, while it is common in prosthetic valve endocarditis.We present a case of a patient who presented with non-specific symptoms and was found to have native valve endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus hominis, a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus.She initially presented with generalised weakness and falls and was found to be hypotensive on presentation, but otherwise hemodynamically stable.Besides a nasal bridge abrasion and nonhealing ulcer on her right heel, physical examination was not suggestive of infective endocarditis.Her white cell count was elevated, and blood cultures grew S. hominis.She had a transthoracic echo ordered as part of the workup for elevated troponin and was found to have a mitral valve vegetation.The patient was treated with cefazolin for six weeks.She developed an embolic stroke despite adequate treatment two months after the original endocarditis episode.This case highlights the importance of recognizing S. hominis as a rare cause of native valve endocarditis.