Infective endocarditis after oral body piercing.
Body piercing has become an increasingly common practice in the United States and elsewhere. Although perceived as a relatively safe practice, it poses the risk of numerous infectious complications. Oral body piercing in particular has significant potential risk given the known relationship of oral flora to bacteremia. We describe a patient who developed infective endocarditis shortly after undergoing oral piercing.
Friedel
Jeffrey M
JM
Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA.
Stehlik
Josef
J
Desai
Milind
M
Granato
Jerome E
JE
D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D001828:Body Image; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D044135:Haemophilus parainfluenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries*; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography