title: Minocycline pigmentation of heart valves.
abstract: Minocycline, a derivative of tetracycline, is a broad spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of gram-positive and gram-negative infections. Benitz et al. (1) were the first to report black discoloration of the thyroid gland in rats, dogs, and monkeys given minocycline. Since that time, there have been numerous reports in the literature describing minocycline related black pigmentation of the skin, thyroid gland, and other sites. We report an unusual case of minocycline induced pigmentation of the cardiac valves and coronary vessels. The pigment stained with Fontana-Masson and was reduced with bleaching. The exact nature of the pigment is unclear; however, various theories have been advocated. Ochronosis is another cause of black pigmentation of the heart valves; the clinical history should allow distinction between the two.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA. ssanta@casper.med.uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sant'Ambrogio
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Connelly
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DiMaio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008911:Minocycline / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009794:Ochronosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D008911:Minocycline