Limiting Factors in Treatment Success of Biofilm-Forming Streptococci in the Case of Canine Infective Endocarditis Caused by Streptococcus canis

An 8-year-old male Rhodesian Ridgeback was presented with fever and severe thrombocytopenia. Clinical and laboratory examination, echocardiography, blood culture, and pathohistology revealed evidence of infective endocarditis, ischemic renal infarcts, and septic encephalitis. Treatment was started immediately but the dog's condition worsened, and the dog had to be euthanized. The causative Streptococcus canis strain was detected by blood culture and MALDI-TOF MS and analyzed using whole-genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing did not detect any resistance. The affected heart valve was analyzed using FISH imaging, which showed a streptococcal biofilm on the heart valve. Bacteria in biofilms are recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. Early diagnosis could be beneficial to treatment outcome. Treatment of endocarditis could be improved by researching the optimal dosage of antibiotics in conjunction with the use of biofilm-active drugs.

Automated summary

An 8-year-old male Rhodesian Ridgeback presented with fever and severe thrombocytopenia. The dog was diagnosed with infective endocarditis, ischemic renal infarcts, and septic encephalitis. Despite immediate treatment, the condition worsened and the dog had to be euthanized. The causative Streptococcus canis strain was identified and analyzed, and a biofilm was found on the affected heart valve. Early diagnosis and research on optimal antibiotic dosages and biofilm-active drugs could improve treatment outcomes for endocarditis.