Infectious Thoracic Aortitis: A Literature Review

Abstract

Infectious thoracic aortitis (IA) remains a rare disease, especially after the appearance of antibiotics. However, if left untreated it is always lethal. It usually affects patients with atherosclerotic aortic disease and/or infective endocarditis. Mycotic aneurysm is the most common form of presentation, although a few reports of nonaneurysmal infectious thoracic aortitis have also been described. Various microorganisms have been associated with infectious thoracic aortitis, most commonly Staphylococcal, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Salmonella species. It is extremely important to establish an early diagnosis of IA, because this condition is potentially life‐threatening. However, diagnosis is frequently delayed since clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific. Antibiotherapy in combination with complete surgical excision of the infected aorta is the best choice of treatment. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm associated with tuberculous pleural effusion

“…Because infectious aortic aneurysm has different treatment strategy with the non-infectious cause, precise diagnosis is necessary. Gram positive and negative bacteria had been the most common micro-organisms causing aortic infections (2), and Campylobacter fetus, Listeria, and Coxiella have been reported in the single center (3). Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Treponema pallidum and fungi rarely infect the aorta, but their frequency is increasing due to the immunosuppressed patients (4).…”

Infective abdominal aortitis due to <i>Campylobacter fetus </i>bacteremia: A case report and review of literature

“…There are only a few cases in the literature describing IA in the absence of an aneurysm or rupture. If it is left untreated, an infected nonaneurysmal aorta (typically with atherosclerosis) will likely progress to a mycotic aneurysm (2).…”

“…The epidemiology of aortitis, especially IA, as a distinct entity is poorly studied. The most common microorganisms causing IA are Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Salmonella species (2). Cases of aortitis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been observed in developing countries (3).…”

Infectious Aortitis Caused by <i>Salmonella</i> Dublin Followed by Aneurysmal Dilatation of the Abdominal Aorta

“…Infectious aortitis is a rare but potentially life-threatening disorder that may lead to the development and/or rupture of aortic aneurysms (1,2). Medical treatment alone is rarely successful (3) and surgery is indicated to avoid aneurysm rupture, although mortality remains high.…”