Body piercing: a rare cause of mitral valve endocarditis.
Body piercing has become a way of life for many individuals. It represents freedom, as well as rebellion, and can provide shock value to the public. Often, it is used as a rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood, and can also provide a boost in self-esteem. However, body piercing may lead to non-infectious complications such as prolonged bleeding and keloid formation, while infectious complications include the transmission of blood-borne infections (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, C and D), as well as bacteremia through the site of piercing. Infective endocarditis in individuals with congenital heart defects has been identified after body piercing. Here, the first documented case is reported of mitral valve endocarditis in a previously fit and healthy young female following navel piercing.
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex, UK. drrajashahzad@hotmail.com
Shahzad G
SG
Raja
Sujay K
SK
Shad
Gilles D
GD
Dreyfus
D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome