Native valve endocarditis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in an immunocompetent individual.

Infective endocarditis is a very rare clinical form caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. It is rarely seen in immunocompetent individuals. Even after surgery it may entail mortality rates as high as 30-40 %. This report describes a case of native valve endocarditis caused by E. rhusiopathiae and cured with crystallized penicillin G and surgery.