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| Cardiobacterium hominis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Proteobacteria |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Cardiobacteriales |
| Family: | Cardiobacteriaceae |
| Genus: | Cardiobacterium |
| Species: | hominis |
Cardiobacterium hominis is a bacterium that normally resides in the respiratory tract but is said to play a role in causing endocarditis, although in an extremely low percentage of cases. However, it and several other bacterias fall into a group of bacterias called the "H.A.C.E.K." group, and collectively they have been associated with infections of the mouth which in turn have been linked to heart valve infection (endocarditis). Cardiobacterium, when involved with valvular infection, typically affects the mitral valve and the aortic valve. Dental procedures can often be linked to heart valve infections, leading many to believe that proper oral hygiene/the flossing of the teeth and gums is important in the prevention of heart valve infections.
Cardiobacterium hominis falls into the bacterial category of being a "gram-negative bacillus", and thus responds to a treatment of antibiotics commonly used to treat gram-negative bacilli. Penicillin or penicillin derivatives are used, often in combination with another antibiotic, e.g. an aminoglycoside, however it is important to note that penicillin-resistant (beta-lactamase producing) strains have been reported, requiring use of penicillinase-resistant anitibiotic(s). Erythromycin should not be used as C. hominis is commonly resistant to it.
Signs and Symptoms of a Cardiac Infection due to Cardiobacterium hominis:
- Fever
- Enlargement of the Spleen ("Splenomegaly")
- "Peripheral embolic phenomenon" (blood clots originating in the heart which break off and travel to through the blood stream causing strokes or transient ischemic attacks ).
- Red or purples spots on the body ("Petechiae")
- Clubbing of the fingernails.
For a black and white image of Cardiobacterium homminis that you can zoom in on, click here: Black and white zoom Cardibacterium hominins
References
- Savage DD, Kagan RL, Young NA, Horvath AE (1977). "Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis: description of two patients and characterization of the organism". J. Clin. Microbiol. 5 (1): 75–80. PMC 274535. PMID 833269.
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