[Native Aortic Valve Endocarditis Caused by Nocardia asteroides;Report of a Case].

Infection by Nocardia sp. is rare and usually affects immuno-depressed patients, such as those receiving chemotherapy and long-term steroid therapy. Cardiac involvement is uncommon and usually occurs as endocarditis. We present a case of native aortic valve endocarditis caused by Nocardia asteroides. Aortic valve translocation method was chosen because of extensive root infection with major disruption of the aortic annulus. Over 2 years after the surgery, there is no recurrence and no enlargement of the aortic annulus.