Staphylococcus lugdunensis Endocarditis Presenting with Brain Abscesses and Temporal Vision Deficits

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacterium (CoNS) that colonizes the skin. While infectious endocarditis (IE) caused by S. lugdunensis is rare, it is noteworthy because it has been associated with an aggressive clinical course. In this report, we present a case of culture-negative IE complicated by brain abscesses, vision deficits, and progressive heart failure that ultimately required mitral valve replacement. The causative agent was eventually identified as S. lugdunensis through molecular testing of valvular tissue.