Finegoldia magna, a neglected cause of endocarditis – case report

Abstract

Finegoldia magna endocarditis is a rare and underdiagnosed condition, primarily affecting prosthetic valves. We report a case, along with a comprehensive literature review, highlighting its subacute presentation and the challenges in diagnosis due to frequent negative blood cultures. Molecular detection methods and prolonged delay for anaerobic cultures are crucial for identifying F. magna. Given the high risk of significant valvular damage, including abscess formation, surgical intervention might be required. Antibiotic treatments in the literature include penicillins, with or without metronidazole. Clinicians should consider this underestimated pathogen as a potential cause of early prosthetic valve endocarditis, particularly in cases of sterile blood cultures.