Table 1

Baseline characteristics of the two patients with pneumococcal Osler’s triad

CharacteristicPatient 1Patient 2
AV, atrioventricular; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; ICU, intensive care unit; MIC, minimum inhibitory concentration.
Age51 years70 years
SexMaleFemale
Underlying diseaseHypertension, peripheral arteriopathy
Primary localisationPneumonia and meningitisPneumonia and meningitis
Endocarditis features24 hour delayed diagnosis, aortic endocarditis, large vegetation; massive aortic insufficiency, perivalvular abscess, interatrial communication28 hour delayed diagnosis, mitral endocarditis, small vegetation, moderate mitral insufficiency
Empirical intravenous antimicrobial chemotherapyAmoxicillin (2 g/4 h), cefotaxime (2 g/4 h), vancomycin (2 g/day)Cefotaxime (2 g/4 h), vancomycin (2 g/day)
Combined treatmentDexamethasone (10 mg/6 h)
Isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniaeBlood, vegetation, CSF (culture), bronchoalveolar fluidBlood, vegetation, CSF (Gram stain+culture), bronchoalveolar fluid
S pneumoniae MICPenicillin sensitive, amoxicillin: <0.5 µg/mlPenicillin resistant, amoxicillin: 5 µg/ml; cefotaxime: 4 µg/ml
Adapted antimicrobial treatmentAmoxicillin, gentamicinRifampicin, vancomycin
EvolutionSeptic and cardiogenic shocks and III AV block, acuteSeptic shock, subacute
Organ failureNeurological, respiratory, haemodynamic, renal, disseminated intravascular coagulopathyNeurological, respiratory, haemodynamic, renal
Vasopressor support (µg/kg/min)Dobutamine (15), noradrenaline (1.2), isoprenaline (10 µg/min)Dobutamine (5), noradrenaline (0.5)
Corticosteroids, 7 daysHydrocortisone (200 mg/day), fludrocortisone (50 µg/day)Hydrocortisone (200 mg/day), fludrocortisone (50 µg/day)
Surgical treatmentAortic valve substitution
ICU length before discharge5 weeks3 weeks
Mental status at ICU dischargeModerate disabilityNormal