Leuconostoc species endocarditis in an intravenous drug user.

Infective endocarditis is a potentially lethal infection, which predominantly affects the atrioventricular valves. Rapid identification and management is critical to reduce morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Herein, we present a case of a 24-year-old man with Leuconostoc species infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. Disease course was complicated by several septic emboli to the brain, central retinal artery, and spleen. This case serves to remind clinicians that Leuconostoc species, which are typically not pathogenic to human species, can cause infective endocarditis in individuals with a history of intravenous drug use. <Learning objective: It is crucial that clinicians maintain a high index of suspicion in high-risk patients for infective endocarditis with Leuconostoc species, especially in the setting of positive blood cultures with group viridans streptococcus resistant to penicillin. Although cases of penicillin resistant group viridans streptococci have been reported, it is not common and merits further review. Leuconostoc is a Gram-positive ovoid cocci that is intrinsically vancomycin-resistant and is typically non-pathogenic to the human species.>.