Native valve emphysematous endocarditis caused by finegoldia magna in a novel pathogenic role

Endocarditis presenting with invasion of the myocardium by gas-forming organisms is rare, previously limited to Escherichia coli and Clostridia species. We describe a case of native valve emphysematous endocarditis presenting with stroke and ultimately leading to left ventricular rupture and the patient's untimely death. Premortem blood cultures and postmortem pathologic and histologic examination yielded Finegoldia magna (formerly Peptostreptococcus magnus) in a novel pathogenic role. As detection methods continue to improve for Finegoldia magna, it is important to increase awareness of the pathogenic role of this organism.