Mycotic Aneurysm

Q: Out of the following which organism is most likely to cause a mycotic aneurysm and diseased aorta is most vulnerable to it? 

A) Salmonella 
B) Listeria 
C) Yersinia 
D) Haemophilus influenzae 
E) Clostridium septicum


Answer:  A

Staphylococcus spp and Salmonella spp are the most common organisms to most likely cause a mycotic aneurysm. For not an absolutely clear reason, the diseased aorta is relatively found to be more vulnerable to Salmonella and is isolated in the bacteremic seeding of atherosclerotic plaque.

All others are less common causes of a mycotic aneurysm.

#infectious diseases
#cardiology



References:

1.  Brossier J, Lesprit P, Marzelle J, et al. New bacteriological patterns in primary infected aorto-iliac aneurysms: a single-centre experience. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2010; 40:582. 

2. Marques da Silva R, Caugant DA, Eribe ER, et al. Bacterial diversity in aortic aneurysms determined by 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis. J Vasc Surg 2006; 44:1055.