EIKENELLA-CORRODENS ENDOCARDITIS IN AN INTRAVENOUS-DRUG-USER - CASE-REPORT AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

A rare case of Eikenella corrodens endocarditis in an intravenous drug user is reported. Repeated blood cultures from the patient establishe d the diagnosis of this infection. However, evaluation of the cardiac function using two-dimensional echocardiography with Doppler flow demo nstrated a large pedunculated tricuspid vegetation. Also evident on th is study was a dilated right ventricle with diminished contractility a nd regurgitation. Complete sterilization of the blood was achieved aft er a 2-week course of intravenous penicillin and gentamicin followed b y an additional 4-week course of intravenous penicillin alone. Clinici ans treating suspected IV drug users should be aware of the potential pathogenicity of this rare, facultative, anaerobic gram-negative bacil lus (E corrodens). A combination of intravenous penicillin and aminogl ycoside should be considered as the initial treatment followed by an a dditional course of intravenous penicillin for such patients with valv ular vegetation.