Recurrent Early Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae Subspecies equisimilis

Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. equisimilis (SDSE) is a beta-hemolytic streptococcus belonging to Lancefield group G or C. Early prosthetic valve endocarditis is rare, and mostly due to staphlylococcus. Here we describe a rare cause of a malignant infective endocarditis, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of recurrent (early) PVE caused by this microorganism. We are attempting to bring home the point that SDSE seldom causes endocarditis. But when it does occur it can be severe, and often recurrent and destructive in nature and unless the treating clinician is aware, this can potentially lead to an unfavorable outcome. During our research and literature review we found that there is under representation of the importance of SDSE endocarditis, arguably due to its rarity.