VALVULAR ENDOCARDITIS DUE TO MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS

Granulomas due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis are rarely observed in va lvular structures. When observed, they are associated with disseminate d tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients. We report the first case of tuberculous valvular endocarditis isolated in an immunocompetent p atient. The patient had severe mitral valve regurgitation due to a per foration of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. M. tuberculosis was cultured from the vegetations and no other tuberculous foci were i dentified. This case exemplifies the protean manifestations of M. tube rculosis infections.