Case Report Polymicrobial Endocarditis Involving Eikenella corrodens

Abstract

Two amphetamine abusers had polymicrobial endocarditis involving Eikenella corrodens as one of the infecting organisms. A 26-year-old woman with left-sided endocarditis due to S. aureus and Eikenella corrodens was treated successfully; however, severe mitral regurgitation resulted from the infection. In the second patient, a 29-year-old man with right-sided endocarditis, three organisms were isolated: a hemolytic Streptococcus, a non-hemolytic Streptococcus, and Eikenella corrodens. This is the first report of polymicrobial endocarditis involving Eikenella corrodens, and emphasizes the importance of this organism in parenteral amphetamine abusers. Pitfalls in the diagnosis of polymicrobial endocarditis are discussed, with particular reference to the difficulties in the recognition and management of Eikenella valve infections.