Eikenella corrodens endocarditis of the tricuspid valve in an intravenous drug user.

Infective endocarditis of the tricuspid valve (TVE) occurs predominantly in selected groups of patients including intravenous drug users (IVDUs). The most often cultured pathogen in IVDUs is Staphylococcus aureus. Eikenella corrodens, normally existing as a commensal in the mouth and the upper respiratory tract, is identified as an etiologic pathogen of endocarditis very rarely. The authors describe a case of a 27-year-old male with a past history of staphylococcal TVE readmitted to hospital after 5 months due to progression of right-sided heart failure. Bacteriological work-up revealed typical features and growth of E. corrodens. In echocardiography large vegetations on the damaged tricuspid valve and massive tricuspid regurgitation were seen. The prognosis of the disease, despite introduction of appropriate antibiotic therapy, was poor as he refused to undergo cardiac surgery.