A 62-year-old man presents to the emergency department because of new symptoms of fevers, chills, and malaise. His past medical history is significant for a prosthetic aortic valve replacement 5 years ago because of aortic stenosis from a bicuspid valve.On physical examination, the blood pressure is 130/85 mm Hg, heart rate is 88/min, and temperature 38.5degC. He has a 2/6 systolic ejection murmur heard best at the aortic region and a mechanical second heart sound, but no other abnormalities on examination. Blood cultures are most likely to grow which of the following?
Correct Answer: Staphylococcus epidermidis
Description: S. epidermidis is still the most frequent early and late cause of endocarditis in patients with prosthetic heart valves. The other organisms are seen less frequently in late prosthetic valve endocarditis.
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