Culture-negative Endocarditis Caused by <i>Bartonella henselae</i> / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

There is <i>Bartonella henselae</i> (<i>B. henselae</i>) leads to cat-scratch disease and causes infective endocarditis, but shows as negative in blood cultures. We performed aortic valve replacement in a patient with aortic valve infective endocarditis which was regative on blood cultures. The patient had a contact history with a cat prior to admission. Thus, we suspected <i>B. henselae </i>and made a definitive diagnosis by PCR method and Warthin-Starry (WS) stain. A correct diagnosis was possible by detailed history taking and the use of appropriate antibiotics.