Journal of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

Online ISSN: 2433-1783 Print ISSN: 2433-2720
Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Academy Center, 358-5 Yamabuki-cho, Shinju-ku, Tokyo 162-0801, Japan
Journal of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery 5(2): 104-108 (2021)
doi:10.24509/jpccs.20-042

Case ReportCase Report

Infective Endocarditis Associated with Mitral Regurgitation in Two Cases of Williams Syndrome

1Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University ◇ Fukuoka, Japan

2Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University ◇ Fukuoka, Japan

3Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyushu University Hospital ◇ Fukuoka, Japan

受付日:2020年11月26日Received: November 26, 2020
受理日:2021年5月20日Accepted: May 20, 2021
発行日:2021年7月1日Published: July 1, 2021
HTMLPDFEPUB3

Williams syndrome (WS) is a congenital anomaly affecting various organs, especially cardiac tissues. While supravalvular aortic stenosis is common during childhood, mitral regurgitation usually develops during adulthood. To the best of our knowledge, only two reports have demonstrated infective endocarditis (IE) associated with mitral valve regurgitation in WS. We report two cases of IE in adult patients with WS. Case 1 was a 30-year-old woman presenting with dyspnea and remittent fever, severe mitral regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation. She had dental abnormalities and received dental care without prophylactic antibiotics 2 weeks before admission. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus gordonii, which is sensitive to penicillin G and ampicillin. She was successfully treated with antibiotics and surgical mitral valve plasty. Case 2 was a 34-year-old woman with IE following urinary tract infection. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was the causative agent of IE. Mitral valve plasty was performed after 6-weeks of treatment with antibiotics. WS are at a high risk of bacteremia because of dental abnormalities. Mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation develop during adulthood, which might be associated with the onset of IE in patients with this disease.

Key words: Williams syndrome; infective endocarditis; mitral regurgitation

Introduction

Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by cardiovascular diseases, an elfin-like face, dental abnormalities, urinary tract anomalies, and mental retardation. The detection of microdeletions at chromosome 7q11.23, encompassing the elastin (ELN) gene, establishes the diagnosis. The prevalence of cardiac anomalies in WS is reported to be 80%, including peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, supravalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), and coronary artery stenosis.1–3) Mortality depends on the severity of these cardiovascular anomalies. Cases of infective endocarditis (IE) with SAS have been reported in the literature.4–6) However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been only two reports of IE associated with mitral regurgitation in patients with WS.6, 7)

Herein, we report two WS cases with IE associated with mitral regurgitation.

Case 1

A 30-year-old woman was diagnosed with WS due to a characteristic face and SAS after birth. The Doty procedure was performed at the age of 5 years. Although SAS was relieved, mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation were detected at the age of 10 and progressed to a grade of III at the age of 20. She presented with mental retardation associated with behavioral problems. Removal of teeth plaque was required every 3 months because of malocclusion and dental caries. She was admitted to our hospital because of a remittent fever one month before admission and dyspnea one week before admission after a dental procedure without prior administration of prophylactic antibiotics. On admission, she had a high-grade fever, dyspnea, her eyelids and bilateral lower legs were markedly edematous, and she displayed weight gain of 10 kg in 2 weeks. The resting heart rate was irregular, and auscultation revealed a grade 2/6 regurgitant systolic murmur at the apex. Complete blood counts showed a white blood cell level (WBC) of 1.10×1010/L, a hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL, and a platelet level of 143×109/L. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and B-type natriuretic peptide were 0.52 mg/dL (normal range<0.14 mg/dL) and 352.7 pg/mL (normal range<18.4 pg/mL), respectively. Chest radiography showed cardiomegaly, bilateral pulmonary congestion, and bilateral pleural effusion (Fig. 1A). Electrocardiography revealed atrial fibrillation that had never been diagnosed (Fig. 1B) and transthoracic echocardiography revealed left atrium dilatation, mitral valvular anterior leaflet prolapse, and severe mitral regurgitation (Fig. 2A). In transesophageal echocardiography, isoechoic vegetation was identified on the left side of the atrial septum, the impact site of the mitral regurgitant stream (Fig. 2B). Two sets of blood culture were positive for Streptococcus gordonii, which is sensitive to penicillin G and ampicillin. Electrical cardioversion (100 J) restored sinus rhythm, and the patient was subsequently treated with intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin. She became afebrile the next day, and blood cultures were sterile on day 12 of hospitalization. WBC and CRP levels normalized by day 27, and the vegetation disappeared completely on day 43. Antibiotic administration was discontinued on day 44. The degree of mitral regurgitation remained severe despite the improvement in symptoms and laboratory data. Consequently, we performed mitral annuloplasty, pulmonary vein isolation, and left appendage closure 3 months after admission. The anterior mitral leaflet was large and thick, and the posterior leaflet was smaller in dimension (Fig. 3A). An incision was made on a part of the anterior mitral leaflet, and plication of the bilateral commissure was performed. The resected specimen of the mitral valve showed minimal chronic inflammation with myxoid degeneration (Fig. 3B). She was discharged on day 14 after surgery without any complications.

Journal of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery 5(2): 104-108 (2021)

Fig. 1 (A) Chest radiography shows cardiomegaly, bilateral pulmonary congestion, and bilateral pleural effusion. (B) Electrocardiogram shows atrial fibrillation with an irregular R–R interval.

Journal of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery 5(2): 104-108 (2021)

Fig. 2 (A) Transthoracic echocardiography shows left atrium dilatation, mitral valvular anterior leaflet prolapse, and severe mitral regurgitation. (B) Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrates isoechoic vegetations (white arrow) at the atrial septum, where the regurgitant jet impacts. LA, left atrium; LV, left ventricle.

Journal of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery 5(2): 104-108 (2021)

Fig. 3 (A) The operative findings reveal that the anterior mitral leaflet (black arrow) is large and thick, and the posterior leaflet (black arrowhead) is small compared to the anterior leaflet. (B) The pathological findings of the resected anterior mitral valve are chronic inflammation with myxoid degeneration and there is no evidence of acute inflammation.

Case 2

A 34-year-old woman was diagnosed with WS and supravalvular aortic/pulmonary artery stenosis after birth, which had not required surgery. She was diagnosed with enamel hypoplasia in childhood without regular dental care. She did not interfere with her daily life and was a part-time worker doing cleaning work. She was pointed out to have cardiac hypertrophy in her medical checkup at work at the age of 30 years and mild mitral regurgitation was detected. She was referred to our hospital because of remittent fever and lower back pain unresponsive to oral antibiotics. White blood cell count, hemoglobin level, and platelet count were 1.65×1010/L, 12.4 g/dL, and 227×109/L, respectively. The level of CRP was 25.7 mg/dL. Urinalysis showed pyuria. Two sets of blood culture grew methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated mitral anterior leaflet prolapse and moderate mitral regurgitation with isoechoic vegetation on the mitral posterior leaflet. Abdominal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography did not show obvious urethral malformations. She was treated with intravenous cefazolin and gentamicin and became afebrile on day 4 of hospitalization. The vegetation gradually disappeared. On day 28, she was discharged with moderate mitral regurgitation. However, NYHA class was 2 at the age of 35, which became more severe at the age of 38. We performed mitral valve repair at the age of 40 years. After three years, she has not presented with symptoms of heart failure.

Discussion

We present two WS cases with IE due to mitral regurgitation. The present report suggests patients with WS are at higher risk for IE than those without WS because of their cardiac and extracardiac complications including dental abnormalities. Supra aortic stenosis is the most common cardiac anomaly in WS, with a prevalence of approximately 45–75%.1, 2) Mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation have been reported in 15% of patients with the syndrome.8) While these lesions do not require surgery or intervention in most cases, some cases show the progression of mitral regurgitation during adulthood.3, 8, 9) If patients with WS have mitral valvular prolapse, examination by echocardiography should be repeated at least once a year.

Katan et al. predicted the occurrence of IE in 1 of approximately 340 patients with MVP and >moderate MR per year or a 0.3% patient-year risk.10) Although the frequency of IE in patients with WS has been unclear, some previous reports have described the association of IE with SAS in patients with WS.4–6) On the other hand, there have been only two case reports of IE associated with mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation in WS.6, 7) Indeed, a cohort study reported that 3 (5.7%) of 52 patients with WS developed IE.11) These reports could reveal WS are at a potential high risk of IE.

Elastin arteriopathy is considered to be the primary cause of SAS, peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, and coronary artery stenosis in patients with WS.2) Vascular media with a proliferation of hypertrophied muscle cells increase collagen content, and reduced elastic tissue in the form of broken and disorganized elastin fibers might be responsible.12, 13) Although histological findings of the mitral valve are not fully understood in WS, our case demonstrated myxoid degeneration and collagenous changes in the mitral valve leaflet, consistent with aortic lesions.15) There might be a histological association between the mitral valve and aortic lesion in patients with WS.

A high velocity jet is one of the predisposing factors for IE eliciting injury to the endothelium, resulting in the formation of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis on the surface of the damaged endothelium. In addition, bacterial colonization might evoke negative cycles of endothelial injury and thrombus deposition, finally forming vegetation. The vegetation sites, in the present cases, were detected at the left atrial wall and mitral posterior leaflet, which were the end and origin of the turbulent flow. Consequently, the mitral regurgitation jet should be associated with the onset of IE.

Streptococcus gordonii is a commensal organism of the oral and gastrointestinal tracts. IE might have been induced by dental procedures in Case 1. Almost all patients with WS have dental anomalies, including malocclusion, hypodontia, malformed teeth, and enamel hypoplasia.1) These problems are related to the high prevalence of dental caries requiring regular supportive dental care. However, these patients are exposed to frequent bacteremia by these repeated dental procedures, triggering IE. In the JCS 2017 guidelines,15) prophylactic antibiotic recommendations for patients with mitral regurgitation among adult patients with congenital heart disease are not an absolute indication. However, the present report suggests that prophylactic antibiotics should be recommended for WS having MR and dental abnormalities at dental procedure including removing plaque.

In Case 2, although urinalysis showed pyuria, the urine culture was negative. There is no evidence that served as an entry gate for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. On the other hand, WS is likely to involve urinary tract anomalies and urinary tract infections (UTIs)1, 3) resulting in bacteremia. Thus, UTI may be a risk factor for IE in WS.

Conclusion

We emphasize that patients with WS in adulthood may have mitral valve prolapse and they are at high risk of IE. It is desired to establish proper guidance and education on IE prevention for patients and their families.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

引用文献References

1) Morris CA, Braddock SR, COUNCIL ON GENETICS: COUNCIL ON GENETICS: Health care supervision for children with Williams syndrome. Pediatrics 2020; 145: e20193761

2) Collins RT 2nd: Cardiovascular disease in Williams syndrome. Circulation 2013; 127: 2125–2134

3) Pober BR, Morris CA: Diagnosis and management of medical problems in adults with Williams-Beuren syndrome. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2007; 145C: 280–290

4) Koh KK, Lee JH, Sohn DW, et al: Infective endocarditis in a patient with Williams’ syndrome: Case report. Korean J Intern Med 1988; 3: 142–147

5) Bera D, Majumder B, Bhandari M, et al: Infective endarteritis in a case of supravalvular aortic stenosis. J Cardiol Cases 2014; 11: 21–24

6) Maruyoshi H, Nakatani S, Yasumura Y, et al: Intractable infective endocarditis associated with supraaortic stenosis in Williams syndrome: A case report. J Cardiol 2002; 40: 25–30

7) Yozgat CY, Uzuner S, Yesilbas O, et al: Williams syndrome presenting with intractable staphylococcus aureus endocarditis. Indian J Pediatr 2020; 87: 654–655

8) Hallidie-Smith KA, Karas S: Cardiac anomalies in Williams–Beuren syndrome. Arch Dis Child 1988; 63: 809–813

9) Kececioglu D, Kotthoff S, Vogt J: Williams-Beuren syndrome: A 30-year follow-up of natural and postoperative course. Eur Heart J 1993; 14: 1458–1464

10) Katan O, Michelena HI, Avierinos JF, et al: Incidence and Predictors of infective endocarditis in mitral valve prolapse: A population-based study. Mayo Clin Proc 2016; 91: 336–342

11) Castro T, de Paula Martins Santos C, de Oliveira Lira Ortega A, et al: Oral characteristics and medical considerations in the dental treatment of individuals with Williams syndrome. Spec Care Dentist 2019; 39: 108–113

12) Stamm C, Friehs I, Ho SY, et al: Congenital supravalvar aortic stenosis: A simple lesion? Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2001; 19: 195–202

13) van Son JA, Edwards WD, Danielson GK: Pathology of coronary arteries, myocardium, and great arteries in supravalvular aortic stenosis: Report of five cases with implications for surgical treatment. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1994; 108: 21–28

14) Becker AE, Becker MJ, Edwards JE: Mitral valvular abnormalities associated with supravalvular aortic stenosis: Observations in 3 cases. Am J Cardiol 1972; 29: 90–94

15) Nakatani S, Ohara T, Ashihara K, et al: Japanese Circulation Society Joint Working Group: JCS 2017 Guideline on prevention and treatment of infective endocarditis. Circ J 2019; 83: 1767–1809

This page was created on 2021-06-21T14:08:24.534+09:00
This page was last modified on 2021-07-09T14:05:39.000+09:00


このサイトは(株)国際文献社によって運用されています。