VentricularPatch Endocarditis Caused by Propionibacteriumacnes: Advantages of Gallium Scanning

Abstract Propionibacteriumacnes is a weakly pathogenic commensal of the skin. When isolatedfrom blood cultures it is often considered a contaminant. However, P. acnes may be responsible for severe infectionsand its role in certain cases of infectious endocarditis has now beendefinitely established. 1 We report a case of endocarditis due to P. acnes stemming from a ventricular patch and revealed by a gallium 67 scan.