Actinobacillus (Aggregatibacter) actinomycetemcomitans (HACEK) identified by PCR/16S rRNA sequence analysis from the heart valve in a patient with blood culture negative endocarditis.

We report a case of infective endocarditis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) from the HACEK group diagnosed by PCR/16S from the heart valve. Multiple blood cultures and cultures from heart valve were negative and cardiac surgery was performed due to therapeutic and cardiac failures. Molecular biological methods are useful in such a patient, to choose an optimal antibiotic treatment post-surgery.