The group C Streptococcus equi is a common cause of infection in veterinary medicine. Its human counterpart, Streptococcus equisimilis, may be an unobtrusive inhabitant of the human nose, throat, or vagina, but it seldom becomes a pathogen. On rare occasions, it has been implicated as a cause of puerperal fever, erysipelas, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, and septicemia (1, 2).
The development of bacterial endocarditis following a Group C streptococcal infection has been well documented and well described in only 1 instance (3). We have recently seen a similar case with several unusual features that merit comment and discussion.
CASE REPORT: A